Mozambique Claim Historic First AFCON Victory as Algeria Seal Last-16 Place

Mozambique recorded their first-ever victory at the Africa Cup of Nations after edging Gabon 3–2 in a dramatic Group F encounter in Agadir, while Algeria booked their place in the last 16 with a hard-fought 1–0 win over Burkina Faso.

Having been beaten by hosts Ivory Coast in their opening fixture, Mozambique revived their tournament hopes with an impressive first-half display. Faizal Bangal opened the scoring with a header before Geny Catamo doubled the advantage from the penalty spot.

Gabon responded before the interval through former Arsenal and Chelsea forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but Mozambique restored their two-goal cushion when Diogo Calila found the net shortly after the restart.

Despite a late goal from Alex Moucketou-Moussounda, Mozambique held firm to secure a landmark win — their first at the finals after 17 previous attempts — and move into contention for a place in the knockout stages.

Group F Remains Finely Balanced

Elsewhere in Group F, defending champions Ivory Coast were held to a 1–1 draw by Cameroon in a heavyweight clash at the Marrakesh Stadium.

Amad Diallo gave the Ivorians the lead for the second match in succession in the 51st minute, but Cameroon responded swiftly as full-back Junior Tchamadeu equalised five minutes later, aided by a deflection.

Ivory Coast and Cameroon, who share eight Africa Cup of Nations titles between them, now sit level at the top of the group with four points apiece. Mozambique follow closely on three points, while Gabon must win their final group match to have any chance of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams.

Mahrez Leads Algeria Through

In Group E, Algeria confirmed their progression to the knockout rounds after a Riyad Mahrez penalty secured a narrow victory over Burkina Faso in Rabat.

The decisive moment came in the 23rd minute when Manchester City defender Rayan Aït-Nouri was brought down in the area. Mahrez made no mistake from the spot, adding to the two goals he scored in Algeria’s opening 3–0 win over Sudan.

The strike took Mahrez’s tally at this tournament to three goals and his overall AFCON total to nine — an Algerian record — as he made his sixth appearance at the continental finals.

Burkina Faso pushed hard for an equaliser in a physically demanding contest. Hearts striker Pierre Landry Kabore went close with a header from a corner, while Mahrez later teed up Mohamed Amoura, whose effort was saved by goalkeeper Hervé Koffi during a late first-half breakaway.

After the interval, Bayer Leverkusen’s Ibrahim Maza squandered two promising opportunities, and substitute Georgi Minoungou fired narrowly over as Burkina Faso continued to press.

Algeria, champions of Africa in 1990 and 2019, now have a maximum six points from two matches and are yet to concede a goal, underlining their status as one of the pre-tournament favourites under head coach Vladimir Petković.

Sudan Boost Knockout Hopes

Sudan enhanced their chances of reaching the knockout stages with a 1–0 victory over Equatorial Guinea, courtesy of an own goal from Torino centre-back Saúl Coco.

The defender inadvertently turned the ball into his own net in the 74th minute in Casablanca while attempting to clear a Sudan free-kick.

AFCON winners in 1970, Sudan have now claimed just their second victory in 18 matches across six tournament appearances since that triumph.