HOLDERS Cote d’Ivoire missed a slew of chances but Amad Diallo’s goal early in the second half was enough to beat Mozambique 1-0 on Wednesday and give them a winning start to their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title defence in Morocco.
In the opening Group F clash, the Ivorians battled to break down their opponents in a competitive first half but took firm control after the break without converting the many chances they created.
Manchester United winger Diallo side-footed the ball into the net in the 49th minute to ensure the three-point haul in rainy conditions but the scoreline would have been a lot more emphatic had the Ivorians been sharper in front of goal.
Wilfried Zaha, playing his first international in more than two years after his surprise recall for this AFCON, wasted several chances and Franck Kessie had two-point-blank efforts saved by Mozambique goalkeeper Ernan.
Ivorian substitute Vakoun Bayo also had an opportunity with an easy header in front of goal but somehow put it wide and in the 89th minute Bayo had an effort cleared off the line with Ernan caught well out of his goal.
Mozambique brought on winger Dominguez as a second-half substitute at the age of 42 years, one month and six days, becoming the oldest outfield player in tournament history, behind only former Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, who was 44 when he played in the 2017 final.
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Mozambique are still to win a match at the finals, stretching back to their tournament debut in 1986. This is their sixth appearance, with a record of four draws and 12 losses.
Also on Wednesday, Cameroon put aside recent woes to open their AFCON campaign with a 1-0 victory over neighbours Gabon as Karl Etta Eyong’s early goal secured a much-needed victory.
The Spain-based striker squeezed his shot under Gabon goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba in the sixth minute after being set up by Bryan Mbeumo, the goal confirmed after a VAR check.
Cameroon moved alongside Cote d’Ivoire at the top of Group F with all 24 teams at the tournament in Morocco now having played a game.
Cameroon, five-time AFCON winners, have been to more World Cups than any other African country but have struggled lately to maintain their prominent role in the African game. They fired coach Marc Brys three weeks ago and left goalkeeper Andre Onana out of the squad for the tournament, having missed out on World Cup qualification last month.
But they will be pleased with a winning start in a fast-tempo game in which they did have the better of the chances.
Manchester United forward Mbeumo was particularly effective, setting up several chances for teammates, the best of which Junior Tchamadeu blasted wide of target early in the second half.
Substitute Frank Magri headed against the Gabon crossbar 11 minutes from the end in another good opportunity for the Indomitable Lions.
Gabon started without key striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who only joined up with his teammates in Morocco this week after suffering a thigh injury, but both he and Mario Lemina were brought on in an early double substitution in the 32nd minute as Gabon looked to get back into the match.
Meanwhile, Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez scored twice in Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Sudan Group E.
Forward Mahrez, who plays for Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia after moving from Manchester City, struck twice in Rabat, Morocco before Ibrahim Maza netted his first international goal.
Algeria lead Group E with three points and meet Burkina Faso on Sunday.
Earlier on Wednesday, Burkina Faso scored twice deep into second-half stoppage time to beat 10-man Equatorial Guinea 2-1.
With agency reports
RESULTS
Cameroon 1-0 Gabon
Cote d’Ivoire 1-0 Mozambique
Algeria 3-0 Sudan
Burkina Faso 2-1 Equatorial Guinea