The Africa Cup of Nations group stage kicked off with a mix of commanding victories, dramatic late turnarounds, and hard-fought wins.
In Rabat, Algeria delivered a statement performance, securing a 3-0 victory over Sudan. The match’s complexion changed decisively just before halftime when Sudan’s Salah Adel received a second yellow card, reducing his side to ten men. Algeria, already leading from an early strike, capitalized on their numerical advantage after the break, adding two more goals to seal a comprehensive three points.
The day’s most thrilling finish came in Casablanca, where Burkina Faso snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against Equatorial Guinea. After dominating much of the match but failing to score, Burkina Faso suffered a stunning setback when they conceded an 85th-minute header against the run of play. Facing a shock loss, they mounted a remarkable comeback in stoppage time, scoring twice to flip the result and claim a dramatic 2-1 win.
Defending champions Côte d’Ivoire began their title defense with a narrow 1-0 victory over Mozambique. The decisive goal came early in the second half, but the scoreline belied the host nation’s dominance, as they squandered a series of clear opportunities to extend their lead. Mozambique’s resistance, while ultimately broken, was notable, and a late substitute made history by becoming the oldest outfield player to feature in the tournament.
Elsewhere, Cameroon secured a crucial 1-0 win against regional rivals Gabon. An early goal proved sufficient for a side looking to move past recent turbulence off the pitch. Despite the introduction of star attackers in the first half, Gabon struggled to create clear-cut chances against a resolute Cameroonian defense.
