AFCON 2025: Mahrez fires pass Sudan in opener
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All original articlesAlgeria ideally starts their competition by dominating 3-0 Sudan. Riyad Mahrez resplendent as an orchestra conductor. Against a Sudanese team reduced to 10 before the break, Vladimir Petkovic’s men send a message to the competition.
Algeria logically wins over Sudan for its inaugural match of this Africa Cup of Nations. The Fennecs respected the hierarchy in a meeting that was quick to get excited. From the 2nd minute, the loss of a Sudanese ball is punished by Ryad Mahrez served by an inspired back hill pass from Hicham Boudaoui.
Led by their stars Mahrez, Amoura, Boudaoui, Bounedjah, Algeria reassured themselves behind with the arrival in goal of Luca Zidane. The son of the illustrious Zinédine Zidane did not take long to bring everyone together thanks to a solid performance despite a low solicitation from the opposing attackers. The Sudanese were dangerous in the first period but lost their winger Salaheldin Adil, excluded for two yellow cards. The Crocodiles managed to hold on until the break, but once again lost against the inevitable Mahrez, wonderfully served by Mohamed Amoura (2-0, 61st).
Maza for the 100th goal of Algeria in AFCON
From the hour of play, when the score was far from being acquired, the Swiss coach of the Fennecs decides to make changes. Jaouen Hadjam replaces left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri and the exit of the very good Farès Chaibi replaced by the prodigal Ibrahim Maza. The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder arrives full of desire for his first AFCON with the Algerian team.
The one who celebrated his 20th birthday on November 24th offers his first big thrill by scoring his very first goal for the national team. Algeria takes off, 3-0 against powerless Sudanese. Ibrahim Maza makes history at the same time as it is the 100th goal in the history of the Greens in the Africa Cup of Nations in 21 participations.
This goal by Maza is above all a reflection of the triumphant youth of Algeria with the entries of Anis Hadj Moussa, 23 years old and Adil Boulbina 22 years old. Algeria is already preparing for the future, while sending a message to the competition: the Fennecs are indeed back after two consecutive eliminations in group stages during the last two editions.