Diallo and Mahrez strike at AFCON as Ivory Coast, Algeria win | Hindustan Times
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**Revised Title:** AFCON 2024: Ivory Coast, Algeria Start Strong with Thrilling Wins | Hindustan Times **Revised Article:** Morocco played host to the first round of African Cup of Nations group matches, with defending champions Ivory Coast and former winners Algeria emerging victorious on Wednesday. The Ivorians edged past Mozambique 1-0 in Group F, thanks to Amad Diallo's decisive strike in the 55th minute. Diallo's goal marked a turning point in the match, as the Ivorians struggled to break down the Mozambicans' resilient defense. In a contrasting encounter, Algeria cruised to a 3-0 win over 10-man Sudan in Group E. Riyad Mahrez, a former Manchester City star, was instrumental in Algeria's victory, scoring twice and becoming the third player to bag a brace at the tournament. Mahrez's first goal came just 82 seconds into the match, and he added his second just after the hour mark. Algeria's convincing performance was a far cry from their previous two AFCON appearances, where they were eliminated in the first round without a win. In other Group E matches, Cameroon secured a tense 1-0 win over Gabon, while Burkina Faso came from behind to beat 10-man Equatorial Guinea 2-1 in a thrilling encounter. Burkina Faso's dramatic winner, scored by Edmond Tapsoba in the 98th minute, marked a memorable comeback for the team. Ivory Coast, who face Cameroon and Gabon in their remaining group matches, are aiming to become the first nation since Egypt in 2010 to successfully defend the AFCON title. Meanwhile, Algeria's convincing start to the tournament has set them up for a strong run in the competition. With their rich history and talented squad, the Algerians will be looking to go all the way this time around.
