Did AI Swap Mahrez for Mustafa Mohamed on Algeria vs Sudan Screen? The Viral Image Debunked
24 December 2025
Context of the image
A widely shared image on social media showed a stadium screen from the Algeria–Sudan match, claiming Riyad Mahrez, the Desert Foxes’ star, was named man of the match in a 3-0 victory on the opening day of Group Five in the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Who appeared on screen?
Instead of Mahrez in Algeria’s colors, the on-screen figure turned out to be Egyptian forward Mustafa Mohamed, triggering disbelief and curiosity across platforms. What’s the truth behind this circulating image?
What checks reveal
Verification by Koora suggests the image is unlikely to be real and appears to have been generated with artificial intelligence, then spread across social networks as if it were authentic.
Match details and aftermath
Mahrez did score twice for Algeria against Sudan, while Mustafa Mohamed sustained an injury during Egypt’s 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe.
Mustafa Mohamed was recently trending in Moroccan social media, with some fans warning that Egypt could wrest the title away from hosts Morocco, who hold seven African crowns.
Punchline 1: If AI can swap footballers on a screen, maybe it can swap my Wi-Fi for a faster connection.
Punchline 2: Until then, I’ll rely on real-life highlights—my team’s drama is cheaper and somehow more entertaining than any generated image.
