Defending Africa Cup of Nations champions Ivory Coast kicked off their AFCON 2025 campaign with a 1–0 victory over Mozambique in a Group F encounter played in Marrakech on Tuesday.
After a cagey first half in which chances were limited, the breakthrough arrived shortly after the restart. Manchester United forward Amad Diallo found the net four minutes into the second half, calmly guiding the ball into the corner after a well-worked attacking move involving captain Franck Kessie. The goal proved decisive as Ivory Coast finally turned their dominance into a tangible reward.
Mozambique, chasing a first-ever qualification beyond the group stage, showed resilience and discipline throughout the contest. They pressed late in the game and came close to an equaliser in stoppage time, but goalkeeper Yahia Fofana produced a crucial save to preserve Ivory Coast’s slender lead.
The result hands Ivory Coast all three points in their opening match and places them in a strong position early in Group F, while Mozambique will look to bounce back in their remaining fixtures as the tournament continues.
