Mahrez double sinks Appiah’s Sudan as Algeria open AFCON campaign in style

Former Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah endured a difficult start to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as his Sudan side were outclassed 3-0 by Algeria in their Group E opener in Rabat.

Riyad Mahrez was the standout performer, scoring twice to lead the 2019 champions to a dominant victory against 10-man Sudan. Algeria, who failed to progress beyond the group stage at the last two AFCON tournaments, laid down an early marker with a controlled and assured display.

Mahrez gave the North Africans the perfect start with a trademark left-footed curling finish from close range after a clever backheel assist from Hicham Boudaoui. Sudan threatened briefly through Yasser Awad Boshara, who tested Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane on two occasions, but their task became significantly harder when Salahedin Adil was sent off for a second bookable offence six minutes before half-time.

Algeria took full control after the break, and Mahrez doubled the lead just after the hour mark, calmly finishing inside the box from a well-weighted through ball by Mohamed Amoura. The Wolfsburg forward almost added a third moments later, smashing a fierce volley against the right-hand post.

The third goal eventually arrived late on when Ibrahim Maza reacted quickest to Baghdad Bounedjah’s knockdown inside the six-yard area. Sudan goalkeeper Monged Elneel prevented the scoreline from becoming heavier with two sharp saves in added time to deny Adil Boulbina.

The result sends Algeria to the top of Group E on goal difference ahead of Burkina Faso, who edged Equatorial Guinea 2-1 earlier on Wednesday. Algeria remain in Rabat to face Burkina Faso on Sunday at 17:30 GMT.

Sudan will look to recover when they travel to Casablanca to meet Equatorial Guinea earlier the same day at 15:00 GMT.