Captain Riyad Mahrez scored twice as two-time champions, Algeria opened their Group E campaign with a commanding 3–0 victory over Sudan at the Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
Algeria made a lightning start, taking the lead inside two minutes when Mahrez fired home from just inside the box to register the tournament’s quickest goal to date.
Sudan responded with intent and nearly equalised in the 11th minute but Jobak was forced wide by Luca Zidane, allowing Algeria to escape.
The Sudanese side went close again in the 38th minute, only to be denied by Zidane before Yagoub fired over from the rebound.
The match swung decisively in Algeria’s favour shortly after, as Salaheldin Adil was shown a second yellow card in the 39th minute for a reckless midfield challenge, reducing Sudan to 10 men.
Algeria thought they had doubled their advantage before the break when Ramy Bensebaini scored acrobatically, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
Algeria maintained their lead heading into the break and resumed control after half-time. Sudan goalkeeper Monged produced a fine save in the 59th minute to deny Baghdad Bounedjah, but the pressure eventually told.
In the 61st minute, Mahrez struck again, finishing clinically after a well-weighted ball from the flank to make it 2–0 and complete his brace.
Algeria nearly added a third in the 72nd minute, with Amoura’s volley crashing against the post. The third goal finally arrived in the 85th minute, when Ibrahim Mazza finished from close range after being set up by Bounedjah.
The final whistle confirmed a comfortable 3–0 win for Algeria, who recorded their first in the tournament since 2019.
Uche Dozie