Riyad Mahrez was on target twice as Algeria began their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 3-0-win over 10-man Sudan in Group E on Wednesday, Afrosport reports.
The Desert Foxes famously won the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, but since then had group stage exits in the subsequent editions, while the Falcons of Jediane, crowned champions in 1970, were making their 10th AFCON appearance.
Algeria wasted no time in kicking things into gear at Stade Prince Moulay Hassan in Rabat after two minutes when Mahrez fired home a left-footed shot past Sudan goalkeeper Monged Elneel.
The Sudanese were reduced to 10 men after Salaheldin Alhassan received a second yellow card in the 39th minute.
This allowed Algeria to control proceedings with Mahrez completing his brace in the 61st minute off an assist from Mohamed Amoura, while Ibrahim Maza made it 3-0 in the 85th minute via Baghdad Bounedjah’s assist.
FULL-TIME! 🇩🇿🇸🇩
A smooth start for Algeria with a 3-0 win in their opening match. 🤩#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | @tecnomobile pic.twitter.com/kZVT5VxyPV
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) December 24, 2025
Vladimir Petkovic’s men will take on Burkina Faso in their next Group E game, while Sudan will lock horns with Equatorial Guinea.
