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[QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 80345, member: 636"]
The Africa Cup of Nations kicked off with defending champs barely scraping by. Cote d'Ivoire started their title defense with a narrow 1-0 win over Mozambique in Group F at the Stade de Marrakech. Amad Diallo scored the only goal soon after halftime, finishing a play set up by Franck Kessié and Guela Doué against keeper Ernan. Despite the Manchester United striker's effort, the Ivorians were sloppy, with Kessié and Vakoun Bayo missing big chances. They almost got punished when Geny Catamo of Sporting Portugal blew a late opportunity to equalize.

Other games had way more action. In the same group, Cameroon beat Gabon 1-0 in Agadir thanks to an early Etta Eyong goal. Over in Group E, Burkina Faso pulled off a wild comeback against Equatorial Guinea. Playing with ten men after Basilo Ndong got a second yellow card, Equatorial Guinea took the lead through Marvin Anieboh late. Burkina Faso then scored twice in stoppage time, with Georgi Minoungou and Edmond Tapsoba from Bayer Leverkusen securing a dramatic win.

Algeria had a smoother ride in Rabat against Sudan. Captain Riyad Mahrez scored very early and again after the hour mark, with Ibrahim Maza adding a third. Sudan went a man down before halftime when Salaheldin Adil received a second booking. Mahrez noted the win was important for his team, a former champion that has struggled in recent tournaments, while stressing the need to stay focused.
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