Manchester United winger Amad Diallo scored the one aim as Ivory Coast obtained their Africa Cup of Nations defence off to a successful begin.
The West African nation are vying to develop into the primary nation to win consecutive AFCONs since Egypt in 2010.
They confronted Mozambique, ranked some 60 locations beneath them in FIFA’s rankings, of their opening group fixture on Wednesday night time in what turned out to be a surprisingly shut sport.
Regardless of boasting stars comparable to Franck Kessie, Wilfried Zaha and Amad, it took Ivory Coast till after the interval to interrupt the impasse.
After latching on to a Kessie knockdown within the field, Amad slotted residence with a sweetly-struck effort on his proper foot earlier than wheeling away to rejoice within the thrashing Moroccan rain.
It proved to be the match’s solely aim and one which despatched Ivory Coast joint high of Group F with their subsequent opponents, Cameroon.
Manchester United winger Amad Diallo scored the one aim as Ivory Coast obtained their African Cup of Nations defence off to a successful begin.
After latching on to a Kessie knockdown within the field, Amad slotted residence with a sweetly-struck effort on his proper foot earlier than wheeling away to rejoice within the thrashing Moroccan rain
The Cameroonians secured a 1-0 win of their first sport of the group stage towards Gabon due to a aim from Karl Etta Eyong, assisted by none aside from Bryan Mbeumo.
Cameroon and Ivory Coast, two of the favourites for the match, go head-to-head on Sunday night time in Marrakech, Morocco, in a conflict which can effectively resolve the group.
Amad and Mbeumo have each loved spectacular begins to this marketing campaign after the latter moved north from Brentford in a deal price £65million final summer season.
Mbeumo has notched seven targets and offered one help whereas Amad, taking part in in a extra defensive wing-back place, has scored two and offered three.
Ruben Amorim’s facet face Newcastle United on this 12 months’s sole Premier League Boxing Day fixture with out Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui, who can be at AFCON with Morocco.
The total-back obtained his match off to a successful begin on Sunday as Morocco beat Comoros 2-0 in Rabat.
