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Amad Diallo ensured that Ivory Coast made the perfect start to the defence of the title they won on home soil in February last year Manchester United forward Amad Diallo's composed strike gave holders Ivory Coast victory over Mozambique in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group F opener in Marrakech. The Elephants, aiming to become the first defending champions since Egypt in 2010 to retain the title, squandered a succession of first-half chances against opponents ranked 60 places below them at 102nd in Fifa's rankings. Amad provided relief for Emerse Fae's side four minutes after the restart, capitalising on static defending to meet Franck Kessie's knockdown with a cool low finish that arrowed between Sunderland defender Reinildo's legs on its way in. Mozambique goalkeeper Ernan was busy before the break, acrobatically tipping Yan Diomande's miscued shot from Guela Doue's delivery over the crossbar and denying Kessie when the midfielder sent a close-range header straight at him. Ghislain Konan should have opened the scoring when Amad tricked his way inside the box and teed the left-back up in space in front of goal, only to flash a shot comfortably wide. Ivory Coast came close to a second with added time looming, Kessie breaking clear but dithering before substitute Vakoun Bayo collected the loose ball and was denied by Ernan and midfielder Guima's athletic clearance off the line. Both sides play the second of their three group stage games on Sunday, when Mozambique meet Gabon in Agadir (12: 30 GMT) and Ivory Coast meet five-time champions Cameroon in Marrakech (20: 00). All you need to know about Afcon 2025 Mozambique target historic first Afcon win in Morocco With a potentially much more dangerous game up next, Ivory Coast will feel some relief at seeing off spirited underdogs on their way to going 14 opening matches unbeaten. Mozambique have form for starting their campaign with a surprise, having only missed out on beating Egypt in their first game at the 2023 finals when Mohamed Salah equalised for the Pharaohs in the 97th minute. While they scarcely threatened to record their first win at an Afcon, Chiquinho Conde's players were resolute, as well as occasionally offering a threat through the enterprising runs of forward Geny Catamo, whose shot from inside the box forced Yahia Fofana to make a fine stop with seconds of the contest remaining. But the Mambas only remained in the contest thanks to the wayward finishing of the West Africans, with Fae looking on in disbelief when Konan spurned his straightforward opportunity to make the breakthrough. A runner-up as a player in 2006, Fae masterminded his country's surge to the title at the 2023 edition after Jean-Louis Gasset was sacked following two successive defeats to end the group stage. His squad and the Mambas will be able to assess their next two opponents when Cameroon and Gabon meet in in Agadir later on Wednesday (20: 00 GMT). Last Updated 24th December 2025 at 21: 55 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Emerse Faé Formation: 4 - 3 - 3 Manager: Chiquinho Conde Formation: 4 - 1 - 4 - 1 Manager: Emerse Faé Formation: 4 - 3 - 3 Manager: Chiquinho Conde Formation: 4 - 1 - 4 - 1 CAF Africa Cup of Nations All competitions All competitions All competitions Match ends, Côte d'Ivoire 1, Mozambique 0. Second Half ends, Côte d'Ivoire 1, Mozambique 0. Attempt saved. Geny Catamo (Mozambique) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner by Yahia Fofana (Côte d'Ivoire). Assisted by Dominguês. Foul by Guéla Doué (Côte d'Ivoire). Faizal Bangal (Mozambique) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time. Attempt blocked. Vakoun Bayo (Côte d'Ivoire) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Corner, Côte d'Ivoire. Conceded by Guima. Attempt saved. Vakoun Bayo (Côte d'Ivoire) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner by Ernan Siluane (Mozambique). Foul by Guéla Doué (Côte d'Ivoire). Bruno Langa (Mozambique) wins a free kick on the left wing. Foul by Oumar Diakité (Côte d'Ivoire). Mexer (Mozambique) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Oumar Diakité (Côte d'Ivoire). Geny Catamo (Mozambique) wins a free kick on the left wing. Foul by Oumar Diakité (Côte d'Ivoire). Bruno Langa (Mozambique) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Substitution, Mozambique. Infren Matola replaces Diogo Calila. Attempt blocked. Geny Catamo (Mozambique) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Bruno Langa. Substitution, Côte d'Ivoire. Oumar Diakité replaces Amad Diallo. Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.