Captain Riyad Mahrez delivered a commanding performance as Algeria began their Africa Cup of Nations campaign in style, cruising to a comfortable 3–0 victory over 10-man Sudan on Wednesday.
The former champions wasted no time asserting dominance, with Mahrez opening the scoring just 82 seconds into the match to the delight of Algerian supporters who filled most of the 16,115-capacity Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat. The early goal set the tone for a confident display from the Desert Foxes.
Mahrez, now plying his trade with Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, doubled Algeria’s lead shortly after the hour mark, finishing off a brilliant move to put the game beyond Sudan’s reach. Substitute Ibrahim Maza later sealed the win with a late strike, marking Algeria’s 100th goal in AFCON history.
Adding to the occasion was the presence of French football legend Zinedine Zidane in the stands. With Algerian roots and his son Luca starting in goal for Algeria, Zidane’s appearance on the stadium screens drew loud cheers from the fans.
“I am happy to have got the three points. It is a long time since we did that at the AFCON,” Mahrez said after the match. “As a team, we want to get to the final. We didn’t come here just to participate.”
Sudan’s task became even harder just before halftime when Salaheldin Adil was sent off for a second booking, effectively ending their hopes of a comeback. Algeria controlled the game from that point, earning a morale-boosting start after early exits in the last two AFCON tournaments.
With this win, Algeria have sent a clear message of intent in Group E, while Mahrez’s brace further cements his status as one of the tournament’s most influential players.
