Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique, AFCON 2025 Highlights: Diallo's Effort Seals Victory For Reigning Champions - As It Happened

Hello folks! Welcome to our live coverage of the AFCON 2025 Group F opener between defending champions Ivory Coast and East African outfit Mozambique at the Stade de Marrakech. Match begins from 11:00PM (IST) onwards, so stay tuned with us for all the real-time updates, scores and more.

Fixture: Ivory Coast Vs Mozambique, AFCON 2025, Group F opener

Date: Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Time: 5:30 PM GMT | 11:00 PM IST | 12:30 PM ET

Venue: Grand Stade de Marrakech, Marrakesh, Morocco

In the other Group F match, Cameroon will be up against Gabon from 1:30AM (IST) onwards.

In Group E, Algeria are cruising by 2-0 against Sudan at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabbat. Former Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez scored both the goals as the Fennec Foxes inch closer to victory. Follow the match with our live blog.

Ivory Coast starters: Fofana (GK), Konan, Ndicka, Kossounou, Doue, Kessie, Sangarem Seri, Diomande, Zaha and Diallo

Substitutes: Ousmane Diomande, Zohouri, Seko Fofana, Bayo, Krasso, Boly, Operi, Diakite, Kone, Oulai, Agbadou, Guessand, Lafont, Toure and Gbamin

Mozambique starters: Siluane (GK), Calila, Mexer, Mandava, Langa, Amade, Kambala, Guima, Catamo, Ratifo and Witi

Substitutes: Nanani, Nene, Chamboco, Domingues, Dove, Faisal Bangal, Binde, Kimiss, Oscar, Vilanculos, Abdala, Urrubal, Alexandre, Alfandega, Cantolo, Bauque and Shaquille

The players of both the teams are on the field and are all set for the play to begin the Group F clash of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 between Ivory Coast and Mozambique.

We are 15 minutes into the game and no team has managed to get a lead till now. Though CIV have dominated in terms of possession but haven't been able to convert it into a goal.

Very cagey affair so far between the two sides with Ivory Coast dominating in possession and attacking, as expected. They have had 7 shots so far but only twice have they found the target.

Ghislain Konan and Amad Diallo missed quite clear cut chances in front of goal 10 minutes ago and since then, Ivory Coast have chased down everything relentlessly.

Franck Kessie had a go from outside of the box into the centre of the goal, but a routine stop for Mozambique goalie Hernanin Siluane. Two minutes have been added on to conclude the first half.

It remains 0-0 at half-time as Ivory Coast have been left frustrated by Mozambique, who had very little to do in the first 45 minutes, which were dominated by the defending champions.

What a sensational start to the second half from the reigning champions to break the deadlock and it's Amad Diallo, who finally opens the scoring. He had missed an easy chance earlier on in the first-half but he doesn't make no mistake this time.

Diallo took advantage of a rebound ball that fell right in front and he fired inside to the bottom left corner.

Ivory Coast are continuing to burst inside the Mozambique defence. Wilfried Zaha had a shot saved on the following build-up after Diallo's opener.

It should Ivory Coast's game to win unless Mozambique do something extraordinary.

Ivory Coast have had an incredible 25 total touches inside the opposition box while Mozambique, in contrast, just 6. The Ivorians have also had 7 shots gone off target, but they remain well on their way to win tonight.

And that's it. Ivory Coast claim victory in their opening match to kickstart their AFCON 2025-26 edition on a high. The reigning champions had a few attacking lapses, but ultimately prevailed with a narrow 1-0 score line, thanks to the goal from Amad Diallo right at the start of the second half.

That's it people. Thanks for joining us in our live blog. See you next time.