AFCON 2025 Opener: Ivory Coast Edges Mozambique to Start Morocco Edition with a Win
24 December 2025
Match overview
Ivory Coast, the defending champions, continued their Africa Cup of Nations campaign by defeating Mozambique 1-0 on Wednesday in the opening round of Group Six, in the Morocco 2025 edition.
The Elephants have now won their last four AFCON matches, their best streak in the tournament since early 2012 when they finished second behind Didier Drogba.
They have not lost any of their last 14 opening AFCON matches (9 wins, 5 draws); their last defeat was January 14, 1996 against Ghana (0-2), according to Stats Foot, the French stats site.
Key moments
The only goal came from Manchester United's young forward Amad Diallo in the 49th minute, from a pass by Franck Kessié, the Saudi Pro League star.
Ivory Coast dominated the first half; Mozambique started with energy but their defense held, while the Ivory Coast forwards squandered several chances.
Early in the second half, Diallo put the Elephants ahead, increasing their dominance in midfield, while Mozambique produced a modest showing.
The Ivorians missed a few more opportunities to add to the lead, almost paying the price late as Mozambique rallied, but the finishing touch was missing, and the Elephants left with a 1-0 victory.
Punchlines: If football had a punchline, Mozambique would still be waiting for the right script; Ivory Coast just editors-in-chief of the scoreboard—boom, 1-0, and a standing ovation for the coffee break.
