Algeria launched their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a dominant 3-0 win over Sudan in Group E, thanks to Riyad Mahrez’s brace.
The Desert Foxes struck early, with Mahrez scoring in the 2nd minute off Hicham Boudaoui’s assist.
Sudan’s Seif Alhassan was sent off in the 39th after a second yellow for tripping, tilting the game further.
In the second half, Mahrez added his second in the 61st, assisted by Mohamed Amoura.
Islam Maza sealed the result in the 85th, courtesy of Baghdad Bounedjah.
Key substitutions included Algeria’s Maza for Farid Chaibi (60′), Jaouen Hadjam for Rayan Ait Nouri (61′), and others, while Sudan made injury-forced changes.
Algeria’s clean sheet and clinical attack earned them top spot in Group E:
– 1. Algeria: 1W-0D-0L, 3:0 GD, 3 pts
– 2. Burkina Faso: 1W-0D-0L, 2:1 GD, 3 pts
– 3. Equatorial Guinea: 0W-0D-1L, 1:2 GD, 0 pts
– 4. Sudan: 0W-0D-1L, 0:3 GD, 0 pts
The win sets a strong tone for Algeria’s title pursuit.
