Algeria Triumphs Over Sudan in AFCON 2025 Opener. Rabat, Morocco — December 24, 2025 Lead Paragraph Captain Riyad Mahrez led Algeria to a convincing 3-0 victory over Sudan in their opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Rabat.
The win, marked by Mahrez’s double strike, sets Algeria on a strong footing in Group E of the tournament.
Mahrez’s opening goal came in the first 82 seconds of the match, setting the tone for the Algerian team.
The former Manchester City winger, now playing for Al — Ahli of Saudi Arabia, added a second goal just after the hour mark. Ibrahim Maza sealed the victory for Algeria with a late goal, marking the 100th AFCON goal for the team.
The match was overshadowed by a controversial red card given to Sudan’s Salaheldin Adil for a second booking in the 72nd minute. Despite this, Algeria maintained their dominance throughout the game.
In the Group E match earlier in the day, Burkina Faso secured a 2-1 victory over Equatorial Guinea, despite playing with a man less for much of the game.
Burkina Faso’s Edmond Tapsoba scored the winning goal in the dying minutes of the match. Algeria’s strong start at the AFCON 2025 suggests a promising tournament ahead.
Further details about the team’s performance and the group dynamics are expected in the coming days.
