Amad Diallo scores goal as Ivory Coast win against Mozambique at AFCON

Amad Diallo scores goal as Ivory Coast win against Mozambique at AFCONA lone goal by the Manchester United forward is enough for Ivory Coast to successfully begin their AFCON title defence.Published On 24 Dec 2025Holders Ivory Coast squandered a number of chances, but Amad Diallo’s goal early in the second half was enough to beat Mozambique 1-0 and give them a winning ⁠start to their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title defence.In the opening Group F ​game on Wednesday in Morocco, the Ivorians battled to break down their ‍opponents in a competitive first half but took firm control after the break without converting the many chances they created.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Mahrez double sets Algeria off to winning AFCON 2025 start against Sudanlist 2 of 4Man Utd’s Bruno Fernandes ‘impossible’ to replace, says Amorimlist 3 of 4Stokes concerned for England’s mental wellbeing on Ashes tour of Australialist 4 of 45-time major winner Koepka quits lucrative LIV Golf tour to focus on familyend of listDiallo side-footed the ball into the net in the ‍49th minute ⁠to ensure the three-point haul in rainy conditions, but the scoreline would have been a lot more emphatic had the Ivorians been sharper in front of goal.Wilfried Zaha, playing his first international in more than two years after his surprise recall for the Cup of Nations finals, wasted several chances, and Franck Kessie had two point-blank ​efforts saved by Mozambique goalkeeper Ernan.Ivorian substitute Vakoun Bayo ‌also had an opportunity with an easy header in front of goal but somehow put it wide, and in the 89th minute, Bayo had an effort cleared off the line ‌with Ernan caught well out of his goal.Mozambique brought on winger Dominguez as a second-half substitute ‌at the age of 42 years, one month ⁠and six days, making him the oldest outfield player in tournament history behind only former Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, who was 44 when he played in the 2017 final.Mozambique are ‌still to win a match at the finals, stretching back to their tournament debut in 1986. This is their sixth appearance with a record of ‍four draws and 12 losses.Diallo, centre, scores the only goal of the contest in the 49th minute [Khaled Desouki/AFP]