Mahrez Brace Inspires Algeria to First AFCON Finals Win Since 2019

Algeria marked their return to winning ways at the Africa Cup of Nations with a commanding 3–0 victory over Sudan in Rabat, their first finals triumph since lifting the trophy in 2019.

Riyad Mahrez led by example, striking twice to put the Fennecs in control before substitute Ibrahim Maza sealed the result late on.

The match began at a blistering pace, with Mahrez opening the scoring inside two minutes after Hicham Boudaoui’s incisive pass caught Sudan’s defence flat-footed.

Sudan’s hopes of recovery were dealt a major blow when Salah El-Din Adel was dismissed in the 39th minute for a second yellow card, leaving them a man down before half-time.

Algeria pressed home their advantage after the break, Mahrez doubling the lead in the 61st minute from Mohamed Amine Amoura’s clever assist.

With Sudan unable to mount a response, Maza added a third in the closing stages, finishing off Baghdad Bounedjah’s pass to complete a dominant performance.

The victory places Algeria at the top of Group E alongside Burkina Faso, who edged Equatorial Guinea 2–1 earlier in the day.

Sudan and Equatorial Guinea remain pointless after the opening round, while Côte d’Ivoire prepare to face Mozambique and Gabon take on Cameroon in the next set of fixtures.