Ivory Coast began their Africa Cup of Nations title defence with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Mozambique in their opening game of Group F in Marrakech.
The Elephants, searching for a fourth continental crown after edging out Nigeria 2-1 on home soil in the last edition’s gripping final, are among the favourites again this year and although they weren’t always convincing, they did enough to secure all three points.
Manchester United star Amad Diallo scored the game’s only goal just after half-time when he finished smartly first time after Franck Kessie headed the ball down. Kessie was Ivory Coast’s biggest culprit when it came to missed chances, heading two glaring opportunities wide – one in each half – while substitute Vakoun Bayo also should have done better with a chance of his own.
But Emerse Fae’s side, who have been in fine form heading into the tournament, producing a perfect round of World Cup 2026 qualifying with 25 goals scores and none conceded, got three points on the board and took a giant step towards the last 16 from a group that appears likely to be a shootout between them and fellow contenders Cameroon for top spot.
Follow all the Afcon action in our live blog below:
Ivory Coast v Mozambique: Africa Cup of Nations 2025
- Ivory Coast begin their Afcon title defence with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Mozambique
- Man United's Amad Diallo scores the only goal of the game early in the second half but the Elephants miss numerous other chances
- 49' - GOAL! Diallo smartly finishes from Kessie's header down (CIV 1-0 MOZ)
Ivory Coast beat Mozambique
20:11 , Luke BakerJust what Ivory Coast needed to begin their Afcon title defence. They’ll want to wast less chances in future matches but three points is three points. A job well done
FULL-TIME! Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique
19:27 , Luke BakerAND THAT’S IT! Not always pretty but Ivory Coast get off to a winning start in their Afcon title defence.
Man Untied man Amad Diallo’s neat finish early in the second half was enough. The Elephants were by far the better team and should’ve score more but squandered some glorious chances, most notably through Kessie and Bayo.
Mozambique were diligent but didn’t have quite enough quality to break their opponents down, so it’s Ivory Coast who take a big step towards the last 16.
SAVE! Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique, 90+4 mins
19:25 , Luke BakerThat was the chance for Mozambique! Star man Catamo suddenly has space open up in front of him, he drives forward, weaves past one man, then another, into the box trying to find space and gets a shot away through bodies but Fofana is down well to save.
That would’ve been some goal
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique, 90+1 mins
19:23 , Luke BakerInto four minutes of injury-time. Can Mozambique conjure something spectacular? Ivory Coast have 11 men behind the ball.
CLOSE! Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique, 89 mins
19:22 , Luke BakerABSOLUTE CARNAGE! Firstly, Mozambique appeal for a penalty as Mexer gets tangles with Sangare in the box. Nothing doing.
Ivory Coast break and Kessie is clean through but caught in two minds whether to shoot or try to pass and sort of half lays it back to Bayo as Ernani comes rushing out.
Ernani dives on the edge of the box to save well from Bayo’s first shot, it comes back to the Ivorian striker and he lashes the ball towards the bottom corner but Guima does brilliantly to act as an emergency goalkeeper, lunge across with his foot and deflect the ball wide. A great foot save!
Mozambique then survive the corner. Wow!
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique, 85 mins
19:16 , Luke BakerThe conditions in this second half have been diabolical with the rain teeming down. The players have coped pretty well.
Five minutes plus injury time to go
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique, 81 mins
19:13 , Luke BakerAnother Ivory Coast sub as they try to see this out. Goalscorer Diallo is clapped off and Oumar Diakite, the Cercle Brugge man, comes on.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique, 78 mins
19:11 , Luke BakerBetter from Mozambique. They pour forward, Catamo drives into the box and his shot is blocked for a corner, which Ivory Coast defend well.
Catamo, who plays for Sporting, is Mozambique’s star man and definitely looks like their most dangerous outlet.
Diomande receives Ivory Coast’s first yellow card as he clatters through the back of Calila
MISS! Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique, 74 mins
19:06 , Luke BakerHow is this still 1-0?! The latest Ivory Coast miss sees Kessie whip in a stunning cross and an unmarked Bayo head the ball down but wide of the right post. Has to score – the No 9, just on as a sub, will be annoyed with that.
Mozambique aren’t offering anything going forward really but as long as it stay 1-0, they’ve got a chance.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique, 69 mins
19:05 , Luke BakerSubs aplenty here. For Ivory Coast, Seko Fofana and Vakoun Bayo are replacing Seri and Zaha.
Meanwhile, Mozambique send on Gildo Vilanculos and Faisal Bangal for Witi and Ratifo. They also bring on Domingues for Kambala and Domingues becomes the second-oldest player in Afcon history at the age of 42.
He made his Mozambique debut in 2004 before some players on the pitch, such as Yan Diomande, were even born...
CLOSE! Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique, 67 mins
18:59 , Luke BakerAll Ivory Coast now and it feels like only a matter of time until it’s 2-0. Zaha flashes a ball right across the face of goal that Sangare and then Kessie are only millimetres away from turning in with their slides but Mozambique survive.
Kessie clatters into the post for his troubles, luckily it was bum first I think rather than somewhere more sensitive (Phil Babb-style...), so he’s ok.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique, 65 mins
18:55 , Luke BakerMexer with a brilliant sliding block of a cross for a corner. A possible goal-saving block. Ivory Coast go short from the corner but get nowhere and the attack peters out.
MISS! Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique, 62 mins
18:54 , Luke BakerThat should be 2-0 Ivory Coast. What a chance!
It’s Franck Kessie again - he should have done better with a header at the end of the first half but this opportunity is even more glaring.
It’s great work by Konan down the left, he picks out a sumptuous cross, Kessie heads the ball down at goal from 10 yards out but it bounces narrowly wide of the post. Ernani was nowhere, hit the target and it’s a goal.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique, 58 mins
18:49 , Luke BakerHere’s the moment Amad Diallo broke the deadlock. It’s what separates the sides currently.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique, 55 mins
18:47 , Luke BakerThe rain is absolutely hammering down in Morocco now. We’ve got some Sunderland on Man United beef as Reinildo clatters through goalscorer Diallo and gets booked for his troubles.
He protests but that was a clear yellow.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique, 51 mins
18:42 , Luke BakerThat goal will surely relax Ivory Coast now. They deserve it, given the dominance. They’re straight back on the attack and Zaha gets to the byline before having his cross blocked for a corner.
Mozambique scramble it away. The Mambas will have to come out of their shell a little bit now they’re a goal down.
GOAL! Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique (Amad Diallo, 49 mins)
18:40 , Luke BakerAnd there’s the breakthrough for the reigning champions.
Kessie gets up well in the box and nods the ball down where Amad Diallo comes rushing on to it, strikes it first time with his instep, through the legs of Reinildo and into the far corner.
Classy finish from the Man United man and Ivory Coast have the lead. A perfect start to the second half.
KICK-OFF! Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique
18:37 , Luke BakerBack underway for the second half
HALF-TIME! Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique
18:19 , Luke BakerAnd that’s half-time in Marrakech. The reigning Afcon champions Ivory Coast have dominated Mozambique but the Mambas have been stubborn in defence and held firm.
There’s 45 minutes left for the Elephants to find a goal and open their title defence with a win
SAVE! Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique, 45 mins
18:17 , Luke BakerDoue’s cross is headed behind by Calila, who had more time than he thought but didn’t get the call. Zaha puts the corner into the box but Ernani is off his line to punch clear well.
Ivory Coast work the ball back to the byline, the cross is stood up by Kossounou and Ernani makes a complete mess of it, fumbling it straight out to Kessie who heads back at goal but Ernani redeems himself to get back across and make the save, catching the ball.
A huge moment of relief for the Mozambique keeper there and he got a bit lucky.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique, 40 mins
18:11 , Luke BakerZaha turns his man, cuts inside and rides a couple of challenges on the edge of the box but is eventually crowded out. Ivory Coast are completely dominant now but haven’t made the breakthrough yet
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique, 36 mins
18:10 , Luke BakerFirst yellow card of the game as Mozambique midfielder Witi lunges at Diomande from behind and brings him down. Clear booking.
MISS! Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique, 33 mins
18:06 , Luke BakerGolden chance for Ivory Coast, their best of the game by far! Great work by Diallo down the right, dancing past his man and getting to the byline, where he cuts the ball back dangerously across the area.
Konan is in acres of space as he comes on to the ball, strikes it first time with his instep, back from where it came but it flashes wide of the right post! Ernani wasn’t going to get there. He should have scored.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique, 29 mins
18:02 , Luke BakerIvory Coast turning the screw now. Firstly they have a free-kick out on the left which Zaha curls in and Ernani dives out to punch clear.
Then Doue wins a corner as Langa blocks his cross and it comes to Diallo ont he edge of the box who curls a shot at goal but high and wide.
SAVE! Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique, 26 mins
17:59 , Luke BakerClose for Ivory Coast. A deep cross whipped in from the right where Diomande tries a volley. He scuffs it into the ground, hardly a clean connection, but it loops up and is headed on target where Ernani leaps and tips it over the bar just to be on the safe side.
Mozambique then defend the corner well.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique, 20 mins
17:51 , Luke BakerA cross in and Zaha’s header is looped but falls well short of the goal, allowing Ernani to gratefully collect the ball.
This is promising again for Ivory Coast though as Diallo cuts in from the right and the Man United man is bundled over by Witi. Free-kick, right of centre, 20 yards out. Diallo curls it but straight into the wall. Wasted opportunity
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique, 16 mins
17:48 , Luke BakerOverlapping run from Mozambique right-back Calila, found beautifully by Catamo, and his cross is blocked behind for ANOTHER corner, off Konan.
This time the Mambas go short and when they curl in a cross, it flies wide of the post but again, very promising from the underdogs.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique, 13 mins
17:45 , Luke BakerIvory Coast left-back Konan on the overlap and he wins a corner as his cross is blocked behind but Mozambique defend it well. Their centre-back pairing of Sunderland star Reinildo and the vastly-experienced Mexer is one of their strongest units.
Then, at the other end, Ivory Coast caught out by a ball over the top, Mozambique get the cross in from the right and Witi should do better from eight yards out, on the volley, but he’s hurried by Seri and his shot skews well wide.
The Mabas are having some decent moments here though and the reigning champs really need to be careful.
SAVE! Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique, 10 mins
17:41 , Luke BakerMozambique with the first shot at goal as Catamao takes aim but it’s straight at Fofana who looks slightly surprised but manages to beat the ball clear.
Just a warning shot from the underdogs but not the cleanest save from Fofana between the sticks
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique, 8 mins
17:40 , Luke BakerDiomande is a problem! The 19-year-old Ivorian winger has been in superb form for RB Leipzig this season and he’s already causing the Mambas defence some issues.
He glides past two men by cutting in from the left flank and surges into the box where he collides with Mexer. It’s an awkward collision and both men go down - Ivory Coast appeal for a penalty but nothing doing, rightly. Diomande receives treatment but he’s up and good to go again.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique, 6 mins
17:37 , Luke BakerWilfried Zaha linking play well already and his ball across the box has to be hurriedly sliced clear,
The Ivory Coast fans are out in force in Marrakech and it’s a good atmosphere inside the stadium
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique, 4 mins
17:35 , Luke BakerMozambique counter at pace and the ball is slipped through to Catamo. He gets to the byline and his attempted cutback is blocked behind for the corner.
That’s well defended by Ivory Coast, safely cleared, but a promising moment for the underdogs.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique, 2 mins
17:33 , Luke BakerIvory Coast immediately on the attack as they break down the left and Diomande shoots but into the side netting. Not a million miles away
KICK-OFF! Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique
17:31 , Luke BakerAnd we’re underway as the reigning champions Ivory Coast face Mozambique
Mozambique and Ivory Coast ready to kick off Afcon campaigns
17:23 , Luke BakerNot far away from kick-off now and here’s the two teams arriving in the building a little earlier.
TEAM NEWS: Reinildo captains Mozambique
17:14 , Luke BakerSunderland star Reinildo captains Mozambique today - he’s had an impressive season at the Stadium of Light, can he help the Mambas spring a shock?
He normally plays left-back for Sunderland but often lines up at centre-back for his national side, so we’ll see if that’s the case in Marrakech today.
Mozambique XI: Siluane, Langa, Kambala, Geny, Ratifo, Reinildo, Amade, Mexer, Witi, Guima, Calila
Earlier today at Afcon: Burkina Faso snatch dramatic win
17:03 , Luke BakerTwo goals deep in second-half stoppage time saw Burkina Faso snatch a 2-1 victory over 10-man Equatorial Guinea in the opening Group E match at Afcon 2025.
Despite having Basilio Ndiong sent off early in the second half for catching Bertrand Traore on his heel with a dangerous tackle, Equatorial Guinea took a surprise lead in the 85th minute when substitute Marvin Anieboh headed home from a corner.
At that point, they looked on course to pull off another surprise result as they did at the last edition of the Cup of Nations when they thrashed eventual champions Ivory Coast 4-0 in topping their group.
But Burkina Faso fought back late on, with Georgi Minoungou sweeping home from a tight angle in the fifth minute of stoppage time to equalise before Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba won all three points with the last effort of the game – tapping in a rebound when Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Jesus Owono parried Cyriaque Irie’s cross straight into his path.
Heart-stopping stuff. Three points secured for the Stallions 🇧🇫#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | @tecnomobile pic.twitter.com/eAUReBMknl
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) December 24, 2025
How Morocco plans to use hosting Afcon as springboard to become a global football powerhouse
16:50 , Jack RathbornMorocco is the host of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) and the nation sees the tournament as a crucial stepping stone in its ambitious journey to become a global football powerhouse and a significant dress rehearsal for its co-hosting duties at the 2030 World Cup.
The North African nation, which famously reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, will welcome 24 teams from across the continent, utilising nine new or renovated stadiums in six cities.
Here’s how Morocco has evolved as a major football nation and what the future holds off the back of the tournament:
How Morocco plans to use hosting Afcon as springboard to become a football powerhouse
TEAM NEWS: Zaha and Amad start for Ivory Coast
16:44 , Luke BakerThe Ivory Coast XI is in and there are starts for Man United star Amad Diallo, as well as former Crystal Palace stalwart Wilfried Zaha - currently on loan at Charlotte FC from Galatasaray.
Ivory Coast XI: Fofana; Doue, Kossounou, Ndicka, Konan; Sangare, Seri, Kessie; Diallo, Diomande, Zaha
Notre 11 de départ 🇨🇮✨#pourla4eme #CIV #ensemblepourlavictoire #tousderriereleselephants #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/ABhIAVUPws
— Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮🐘 (@FIFCI_tweet) December 24, 2025
One to watch: Reinildo Mandava, Mozambique
16:20 , Jack RathbornThe Sunderland star could be pivotal to Mozambique’s chances.
The 31-year-old left-back has featured 12 times for the Black Cats this term, chipping in with one assist and the former Atletico Madrid man is thriving as the first Mozambican to appear in the Premier League.
Ivory Coast squad for Afcon 2025
16:10 , Jack RathbornGoalkeepers: Yahia Fofana (Caykur Rizespor), Mohamed Kone (Charleroi), Alban Lafont (Panathinaikos)
Defenders: Emmanuel Agbadou (Wolves), Willy Boly (Nottingham Forest), Ousmane Diomande (Sporting), Guela Doue (Strasbourg), Ghislain Konan (Gil Vicente), Odilon Kossounou (Atalanta), Evan Ndicka (Roma), Christopher Operi (Istanbul Basaksehir), Armel Zohouri (Iberia 1999)
Midfielders: Seko Fofana (Rennes), Jean-Philippe Gbamin (Metz), Christ Inao Oulai (Trabzonspor), Franck Kessie (Al-Ahli), Ibrahim Sangare (Nottingham Forest), Jean-Michael Seri (Maribor)
Forwards: Vakoun Bayo (Udinese), Oumar Diakite (Cercle Brugge), Amad Diallo (Manchester United), Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig), Jean-Philippe Krasso (Paris FC), Bazoumana Toure (Hoffenheim), Wilfried Zaha (Charlotte), Evann Guessand (Aston Villa)
Why is the Africa Cup of Nations taking place over Christmas?
15:55 , Jack RathbornThe Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco started on Sunday 21 December, with the final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat to be played on Sunday 18 January - far earlier than when held at this time of the calendar than in previous years.
The 35th edition of the biennial tournament was initially set to be played in July and August 2025, in order to reduce disruption with the European football season.
The Africa Cup of Nations was moved to begin in December in order to make room for the expanded Club World Cup, which featured 32 teams for the first time and took place in the United States between June and July earlier this year.
Why is the Africa Cup of Nations taking place over Christmas?
Africa Cup of Nations moved to every four years
15:40 , Jack RathbornThe Africa Cup of Nations will be held every four years instead of two from 2028, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced.
“Historically the Nations Cup was the prime resource for us but now we will get financial resources every year," CAF president Patrice Motsepe said. “It is an exciting new structure which will contribute to sustainable financial independence.”
Ivory Coast v Mozambique latest odds
15:29 , Jack Rathborn- Ivory Coast: 2/9
- Draw: 15/4
- Mozambique: 9/1
Ùltimo treino dos 🇲🇿Mambas antes do jogo contra Costa do Marfim🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/2oc4TJ2EHW
— 🇲🇿Mozambique TheMambas #WCQ #WCQ2026 (@moz_osmambas) December 23, 2025
Africa Cup of Nations 2025: Everything you need to know
14:56 , Jack RathbornThe 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on Sunday when the hosts Morocco face Comoros in the tournament opener in Rabat.
Ivory Coast were the champions last time out, winning the Afcon on home soil after an extraordinary campaign where The Elephants fired their manager mid-tournament and went from the brink of crashing out of the group stages to lifting the trophy against Nigeria in the final.
Could history repeat itself two years on? Well, Morocco are the pre-tournament favourites. The Atlas Lions became the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup three years ago. If the extraordinary support they received in Qatar is anything to go by, then Morocco will have a huge home advantage - although that could lend itself to the suffocating pressure of expectations as they aim to win their first Afcon title since 1976.
The six must-watch games at AFCON 2025 - and the one team in crisis
Ivory Coast v Mozambique head-to-head record
14:55 , Jack RathbornIvory Coast hold a 2-0-2 advantage over, having never lost to Mozambique, their four meetings date back to 2008:
- 13/11/2021: Ivory Coast 3-0 Mozambique
- 03/09/2021: Mozambique 0-0 Ivory Coast
- 07/09/2008: Mozambique 1-1 Ivory Coast
- 01/06/2008: Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique
Ivory Coast v Mozambique possible line-ups
14:53 , Jack RathbornPossible Ivory Coast XI: Fofana; Konan, Agbadou, Ndicka, Kossounou; Fofana, Kessie, Sangare; Y. Diomande, Diallo, Guessand
Possible Mozambique XI: Ernani; Dove, Mexer, Reinildo, Nanani, Langa; Guima, Amade; Witi, Catamo, Ratifo
