AFCON: Amad Diallo the difference in tight Ivory Coast–Mozambique clash

As one of the tournament favorites, Ivory Coast were widely expected to beat Mozambique, but the match did not go entirely according to plan. Still, the Manchester United first-team player made the difference, securing a narrow victory for the reigning champions.

The first half of the Group F clash at the Africa Cup of Nations between Ivory Coast and Mozambique ended goalless, but not without moments of excitement at both ends.

Mozambique showed early intent, recording the first real threat of the match in the 9th minute when Catamo unleashed a strike from around 20 meters. However, Ivory Coast goalkeeper Fofana was well positioned and gathered the ball comfortably.

Ivory Coast gradually grew into the game and began to apply more pressure. In the 22nd minute, Doue tried his luck from nearly 30 meters, but the ambitious effort sailed well wide of the target. A more promising opportunity followed in the 26th minute when a cross from the right found Yan Diomande at the far post. He struck the ball first time, yet Mozambique’s goalkeeper reacted well to keep the shot under control and turn it behind for a corner.

The Elephants continued to probe, with Amad Diallo testing the defense in the 30th minute after driving down the right flank and cutting inside onto his stronger foot, only to see his effort fly just over the crossbar. Diallo was involved again four minutes later, delivering a dangerous ball into the penalty area that Konan met with a first-time shot, but the attempt drifted narrowly wide.

Ivory Coast came closest to breaking the deadlock on the stroke of halftime. Following a scramble inside the box, the ball fell to Franck Kessie, whose close-range effort was brilliantly denied by Siluane, ensuring Mozambique went into the break with their goal intact and the score still locked at 0–0.

Ivory Coast took control of the game after the break and turned their dominance into a deserved lead early in the second half. Just four minutes after the restart, in the 49th minute, Amad Diallo broke the deadlock. Following a well-worked move, Franck Kessie picked out Diallo at the far post, and the winger made no mistake, finishing first time to put the Elephants 1–0 ahead.

The goal gave Ivory Coast even more confidence, and they continued to create chances. In the 62nd minute, Konan delivered a dangerous cross from the left, which found Kessie rising highest in the box, but his header narrowly missed the target.

Four minutes later, Wilfried Zaha caused problems down the left flank, cutting inside and getting a shot away that drifted just wide of the post. Kessie was again inches away from doubling the lead, but arrived a split second too late to turn the ball into the net.

Ivory Coast kept pressing as the match entered its final stages. In the 74th minute, Bayo had a clear opportunity with a header, mirroring Kessie’s earlier effort, but once again the ball flashed past the post. Despite failing to add a second goal, the Elephants maintained their edge and saw out the remainder of the match with control and composure.

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS - GROUP STAGE

Sunday

Morocco - Comoros 2-0 (0-0)

/Diaz 55, El Kaabi 74/

Monday

Mali - Zambia 1-1 (0-0)

/Sinayoko 61 - Daka 90+2/

South Africa - Angola 2-1 (1-1)

/Appollis 21, Foster 79 - Show 35/

Egypt - Zimbabwe 2-1 (0-1)

/Marmoush 64, Salah 90+1 - Dube 20/

Tuesday

DR Congo - Benin 1-0 (1-0)

/Bongonda 16/

Senegal - Botswana 3-0 (1-0)

/Jackson 40, 58, Ndiaye C. 90/

Nigeria - Tanzania 2-1 (1-0)

/Ajayi 36, Lookman 52 - M'Mombwa 50/

Tunisia - Uganda 3-1 (2-0)

/Mejbri 10, Achouri 40, 64 - Omedi 90+2/

Wednesday

Burkina Faso - Equatorial Guinea 2-1 (0-0)

/Minoungou 90+5, Tapsoba 90+8 - Anieboh 85/

Algeria - Sudan 3-0 (1-0)

/Mahrez 2, 61, Maza 85/

Ivory Coast - Mozambique 1-0 (0-0)

/Diallo 49/

23.00: (2.15) Cameroon (3.25) Gabon (3.60)

***odds are subject to change***