AFCON round-up as Mahrez inspires Algeria to 3-0 win with brace

AFCON round-up as Mahrez inspires Algeria to 3-0 win with brace

Afcon round-up: Mahrez double gives Algeria victory over 10-man Sudan.

Algeria defeated 10-man Sudan 3-0 in Group E in Rabat to start their Africa Cup of Nations campaign, with two goals from Riyad Mahrez.

After Hicham Boudaoui’s deft backheel, the former Leicester and Manchester City winger scored past Sudan goalkeeper Monged Abuzaid, giving the Desert Warriors the lead after just two minutes.

Yaser Awad tried to round Algerian custodian Luca Zidane, who was in the crowd at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium. Luca is the son of former Real Madrid and France star Zinedine Zidane. After that, he made another save from Awad before Abdel Raouf shot over Sudan, trying to get back into the game.

However, six minutes before halftime, midfielder Salah Adel’s dismissal for a second bookable offence following a challenge on Rayan Aït-Nouri of Manchester City dealt a serious damage to their aspirations.

With 61 minutes remaining, Mohamed Amoura’s excellent pass was taken by Mahrez, who then stepped inside Mustafa Karshoum, the defence, and found the back of the net to defeat Monged for the second time. Five minutes from time, Ibrahim Maza, a replacement, scored his first goal for his senior team after Baghdad Bounedjah’s knockdown.

Earlier in the day, Burkina Faso defeated 10-man Equatorial Guinea 2-1 thanks to two goals in stoppage time, led by Edmond Tapsoba.

Bertrand Traoré of Sunderland and Dango Ouattara of Brentford caused issues down the flanks as the Stallions dominated the first half of their first Group E match at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca. However, at the half, they had little to show for their efforts.

Within five minutes of the restart, Equatorial Guinea’s issues worsened as defender Basilio Ndong was sent off following a review of his awkward challenge on Bertrand Traoré. After Ouattara was played in by Gustavo Sangaré, Equatorial Guinea’s Jesús Owono had to make a save.

As Burkina Faso increased the pressure, replacement Lassina Traoré’s goal in the 71st minute was disallowed for offside, but Marvin Anieboh’s solid header from Carlos Akapo’s corner in the 85th minute gave their opponents the lead.

But five minutes into extra time, when Ouattara had carved his way into the area, Georgi Minoungou, who had also come off the bench, equalised. Three minutes later, after Owono had palmed away Cyriaque Irié’s cross, Tapsoba headed home the victory.