Match Description: Algeria vs Sudan (TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025, Group E)
The highly anticipated Group E opener between Algeria and Sudan took place on December 24, 2025, at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco. This was indeed the first-ever meeting between the two nations in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals, marking a historic encounter in the tournament.

Algeria, the 2019 champions nicknamed the Desert Foxes (or Les Fennecs), entered the match eager to bounce back from disappointing group-stage exits in the previous two editions (2021 and 2023). Under coach Vladimir Petković, they dominated from the start and secured a convincing 3-0 victory, earning their first AFCON finals win since 2019.
Key Moments and Goals:
2nd minute: Algeria struck early when captain Riyad Mahrez (former Manchester City and Leicester star) scored the opener. A clever backheel from Hicham Boudaoui set him up, and he fired past Sudan goalkeeper Monged Elneel (or Abuzaid in some reports).
39th minute: Sudan were reduced to 10 men after Salaheldin Alhassan (or Adil) received a straight red card (or second yellow), shifting momentum firmly in Algeria’s favor.
61st/62nd minute: Mahrez doubled the lead with his second goal, a brace that highlighted his class.
85th minute: Substitute Ibrahim Maza (Bayer Leverkusen) sealed the win, scoring Algeria’s 100th goal in AFCON history from a Baghdad Bounedjah knockdown.
Algeria controlled possession and created numerous chances, with standout performances from Mahrez, goalkeeper Anthony Zidane (son of Zinedine Zidane, making his AFCON debut), and forwards like Mohamed Amoura and Bounedjah. Sudan, returning to the finals for the first time since 2021 amid challenging circumstances (civil war forcing home qualifiers abroad), showed resilience but struggled to threaten, especially after the red card. Their qualification itself was a notable achievement.
This result placed Algeria joint-top of Group E with 3 points (alongside Burkina Faso, who also won). Sudan sit at the bottom and face Equatorial Guinea next.
The match underscored Algeria’s attacking prowess and determination to go deep in the tournament hosted by Morocco, while highlighting Sudan’s ongoing challenges despite their proud history (1970 AFCON winners). It was a one-sided but significant start to Group E in the 2025 edition.

Detailed Match Report: Algeria 3-0 Sudan (TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025, Group E – December 24, 2025)

The 2019 AFCON champions Algeria kicked off their campaign in style with a dominant 3-0 victory over Sudan at the Prince Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco. This was the first-ever competitive meeting between the two sides at the AFCON finals, and Algeria wasted no time asserting their superiority in a rain-affected but one-sided encounter.
Captain Riyad Mahrez was the star of the show, scoring a brace and earning man-of-the-match honors. The win marked Algeria’s first AFCON finals victory since the 2019 triumph, ending a run of disappointing group-stage exits in 2021 and 2023.

Key Moments Timeline:
2nd minute (1-0): Algeria struck almost immediately. Mohamed Amoura drove forward and laid the ball across the box. Hicham Boudaoui provided a clever backheel flick, allowing Mahrez to take a touch and rifle a low shot past Sudan goalkeeper Monged Abuzaid (or Elneel) into the bottom corner. A perfect start for the Desert Foxes.
39th minute: Turning point – Sudan midfielder Salaheldin Adil (or Alhassan) received a second yellow card (or straight red in some reports) for a foul on Rayan Ait-Nouri, reducing the Falcons of Jediane to 10 men.
Moments later: Algeria thought they had a s econd when Ramy Bensebaini finished, but it was correctly ruled offside.
61st minute (2-0): Mahrez doubled the lead with a classy goal. Amoura delivered an exquisite outside-of-the-boot pass; Mahrez stepped inside defender Mustafa Karshoum and curled a precise finish into the net. This was Mahrez’s 8th AFCON goal, setting an Algerian record.

85th minute (3-0): Substitute Ibrahim Maza (young Bayer Leverkusen talent) sealed the rout. Baghdad Bounedjah won a header knockdown, and Maza slotted home from close range with his left foot – notably, this was Algeria’s 100th goal in AFCON history.
Late on, Sudan keeper Abuzaid made excellent saves to deny further damage, including from substitute Adil Boulbina.
Standout Performances:
Riyad Mahrez: Brace, constant threat, and leadership. Now playing for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, he reminded everyone of his world-class quality.
Mohamed Amoura & Hicham Boudaoui: Key assists and dynamic midfield play.
Luca Zidane (Algeria GK): Son of Zinedine Zidane, making his AFCON debut. Composed performance with a key save early on; his father was in the stands watching.
Baghdad Bounedjah: Physical presence up front, assist for the third.
For Sudan: Resilient despite the circumstances, with Abuzaid making several saves. Their qualification amid civil war (playing all “home” games abroad) was heroic in itself.

Team Context:
Algeria (coached by Vladimir Petković): Unbeaten in qualifying, they looked balanced and hungry. This win puts them joint-top of Group E with Burkina Faso (who beat Equatorial Guinea 2-1 earlier).
Sudan (1970 AFCON winners): Returning after missing recent editions, their effort was commendable but highlighted the challenges of ongoing conflict back home.
Next matches (December 28/29): Algeria vs Burkina Faso (Rabat), Sudan vs Equatorial Guinea (Casablanca).
Algeria sent a strong statement: the Desert Foxes are serious contenders in Morocco 2025!