Ivory Coast Kicks Off AFCON Title Defence with Hard-Fought Victory

Ivory Coast’s Championship Defence Begins Successfully

A lone goal by the Manchester United forward is enough for Ivory Coast to successfully begin their AFCON title defence. The defending champions opened their Africa Cup of Nations 2025 campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Mozambique in Morocco on 24 December, signalling their intent to retain the continental crown they won in 2024.

Manchester United star Amad Diallo scored the only goal of the match as Ivory Coast sealed a narrow yet one-sided 1-0 victory over Mozambique at the Stade de Marrakech. It took Amad Diallo only 4 minutes to land the first blow as he capitalized on a rebound that fell in front of him and slotted into the bottom left corner. The goal came early in the second half after a goalless first period.

Dominant Performance Despite Lack of Clinical Finishing

The Elephants dominated proceedings throughout the match, though they struggled to convert their superiority into goals. Ivory Coast controlled the first half, enjoying 55% possession and dictating the tempo with crisp ball circulation. Their authority was reflected in the numbers, completing 227 of 249 passes (91%) and earning four corners as they camped in Mozambique’s half for long spells.

Prior to kick-off, Ivory Coast captain, Franck Kessie, has affirmed the readiness of his nation in the quest to defend their Africa Cup of Nations title. Speaking to CAFonline ahead of their opening match with Mozambique on Wednesday evening, Kessie said the defending champions are working towards achieving their goal and are not under any pressure and will need to perform optimally in Morocco.

Significance for West African Football

The victory is crucial for Ivory Coast as they seek to become one of the few nations to successfully defend the AFCON title in recent tournaments. Unseasonably heavy rainfall and hot weather last week across Ivory Coast’s key cocoa-growing regions are expected to boost the size and quality of the October-to-March main crop, farmers said on Monday. Ivory Coast, the world’s top cocoa producer, is in its dry season, demonstrating the nation’s importance beyond football as Africa’s leading cocoa producer.

The tournament continues to showcase African football talent, with Ivory Coast’s blend of domestic and international stars like Wilfried Zaha and Amad Diallo highlighting the quality within the squad. As Group F action progresses, the Elephants will look to build on this opening victory and maintain their momentum towards retaining their crown.