The Manchester United forward sealed a 1-0 victory to open Group F in style

Michael Bailey

December 24, 2025 at 2:52 PM EST

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Ivory Coast open with Mozambique win

Reigning champions Ivory Coast have beaten Mozambique 1-0 in Marrakech, in their first match at AFCON 2025.

A neat side-footed finish from Manchester United forward Amad just four minutes into the second half was enough to earn victory in the opening game of Group F, with matches against Cameroon and Gabon to come in the remaining group stage.

Emerse Fae guided his team to the AFCON title in dramatic fashion two years ago after being appointed midway through the tournament, and their defence got a good start in Morocco tonight.

As for Mozambique, their quest to advance beyond the group stage at AFCON for the first time will now rely on their two remaining group fixtures.

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What comes next …

A reminder that the second Group F fixture is kicking off later tonight, with Cameroon facing Gabon in Agadir.

Cameroon will be the favourites in that one — and if they do win, then it would be a meeting of the two group leaders next, with Ivory Coast back in Marrakech to face Cameroon on Sunday.

That one is the 8pm kick-off in Morocco, with Mozambique vs Gabon at 12:30pm local time in Agadir earlier that day.

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I know I’m late to the party, but Yan Diomande …

I’m so moved.

Full-time stats zone

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Ivory Coast proved too strong in the end. The chances mounted and Mozambique couldn’t really counter the momentum. Here is how the final numbers showed up at full time …

FT: Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique

• Possession %: 54 —46
• Shots: 15 — 4
• On target: 5 — 2
• XG: 1.26 — 0.24
• Big chances: 6 — 0
• Blocked shots: 3 — 2
• Touches in opposition box: 28 — 9
• Duels won: 37 — 44
• Dispossessed: 6 — 7

There was a level of comfort for Ivory Coast that will be promising for their AFCON campaign, for sure. They look like being a powerful challenger once again.

FULL TIME: Ivory Coast seal opening win

FT: Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique

And there it is. Ivory Coast win thanks to that Amad goal — and deservedly so.

No shame in this for Mozambique though. There is plenty for them to build on as they tackle the rest of Group F.

One more chance!

90+4’ Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique

Huffing and puffing from both sides, but no genuine late chances so far in added time.

That is until Geny Catamo skips into the box but his low shot is smartly saved by Fofana.

That might be it …

An eventful entry into added time

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90+1’ Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique

Extraordinary passage as there’s a tackle that flies in during a Mozambique attack. VAR could be interested in the penalty appeal there.

Then Ivory Coast break, Kessie is in on goal but somehow he is caught on the ball — then the follow-up shots are dealt with brilliantly by goalkeeper Ermani.

Somehow it remains 1-0, as FOUR added minutes begin.

88’ Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique

It’s all got a bit scrappy now. Those changes haven’t helped but likewise, Mozambique know this current score is far from a disaster — and Ivory Coast probably feel comfortable in their ability to hold on to what they’ve currently got.

Not long to go now. Mozambique are still continuing to probe.

Amad’s night is over

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82’ Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique

A third change of the evening from Emerse Fae, as tonight’s goalscorer Amad is withdrawn.

It’s Oumar Diakite on in his place for the final eight minutes plus whatever else is to be added on.

79’ Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique

On the cusp of the final 10 minutes and it’s now Mozambique starting to drive forward, grow in ambition and create a few opportunities.

Catamo looks the man most likely to make something happen for the underdogs, as Yan Diomande goes into the book for a late challenge.

Bayo’s turn to miscue

75’ Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique

Kessie turns provider, chipping a lovely cross into the penalty box.

Bayo is waiting, it’s a free header, and he puts it in the same place Kessie put his wide a few minutes ago.

File it under another wasted opportunity for Ivory Coast. If I was playing for Mozambique, I’d still be believing in the chance to achieve something special here.

Time for some changes

70’ Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique

Here come the first changes of the night, with multiple from both sides.

Ivory Coast introduce Vakoun Issouf Bayo and Seko Fofana as the nights for Wilfried Zaha and Jean Michael Seri end here.

As for Mozambique, theirs is a triple change. Gildo Vilanculos, Domingues Pelembe and Faisal Bangal all come on for Witi, Stanley Ratifo and Manuel Kambala.

66’ Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique

Well, while it remains only 1-0 then Mozambique will only need one chance to claim a point here.

But the chances are mounting for Ivory Coast now, with Wilfried Zaha instigating the latest opportunity — popping an inviting ball across Ermani’s six-yard box.

Two orange shirts come sliding in at the far post but neither connect, including Franck Kessie.

I say they didn’t connect; Kessie does manage to collide with the post. That looked painful, but he’s fine to carry on fortunately.

Kessie blows another chance

62’ Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique

Another Franck Kessie from little more than six yards out.

Another missed chance, this time as the header bounces wide of the far post.

The Ivory Coast captain can’t quite believe it — and he probably should’ve had a brace already tonight.

61’ Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique

Beyond the hour mark we go and things are looking more comfortable now for Ivory Coast.

They have the ball and they continue to create chances — while Mozambique, who are chasing the game, are yet to register an effort on goal since half-time.

Reinildo into the book

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56’ Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique

Reinildo becomes the second player — and second player from Mozambique — to be booked, following a late challenge as Ivory Coast countered through Amad.

No complaints with that one.

Witi was also booked for a late challenge, on Yan Diomande late in the first half.

Classy from Kessie and Amad

54’ Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique

For the record, it was a neatly worked opening goal by Ivory Coast — showing the composure they lacked when they earned their chances in the first half.

Franck Kessie can claim the assist with a clever header back that invited the shot from Amad as he raced on to the ball.

I wondered if the Manchester United forward was going to try to drill the ball with power. Instead he opted for side-footed placement and it worked a treat, flying through the defender’s legs and into the far corner.

52’ Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique

Do Mozambique have much left in the tank to cause Ivory Coast problems from behind, in the same way they did while it was goalless?

I have my doubts. Wilfried Zaha drives into the box but sees his shot blocked from close range, as Ivory Coast begin the search for a second goal that may well be enough to secure an opening Group F win.

GOAL: Amad strikes for Ivory Coast!

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49’ Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique

Fate has answered my call! It’s Amad for Ivory Coast and the defending champions lead!

SECOND HALF: Back underway

46’ Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique

And back underway we go. This is game 11 of AFCON 2025 — none of the previous 10 have finished goalless.

Yes, I’m staring at fate and giving it a good old tempting glare.