Riyad Mahrez was the standout performer on the night, scoring twice as the 2019 champions comfortably saw off Kwasi Appiah’s Sudanese side. The former Manchester City winger set the tone early, curling a trademark left-footed finish into the net from inside the box after a clever backheel assist from Hicham Boudaoui. It was the perfect start for an Algerian team eager to reassert themselves on the continental stage.
Sudan showed flashes of attacking intent, with Yaser Awad Boshara forcing Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane into action on two occasions. However, their hopes of staying competitive took a major blow six minutes before halftime when Salah Adel was sent off after picking up a second yellow card, leaving Sudan to battle the remainder of the match with ten men.
Algeria took full advantage of their numerical superiority after the break. Just after the hour mark, Mahrez struck again, calmly finishing from close range after being released by a perfectly weighted through-ball from Mohamed Amoura. The Wolfsburg striker came close to scoring himself soon after, crashing a powerful volley against the post.
The win was sealed five minutes from time when Ibrahim Maza latched onto Baghdad Bounedjah’s knockdown to make it 3–0, a landmark goal that marked Algeria’s 100th in AFCON history. Sudan goalkeeper Monged Elneel still found time to impress, producing two fine saves in stoppage time to deny substitute Adil Boulbina.
The result sends Algeria top of Group E on goal difference ahead of Burkina Faso, who defeated Equatorial Guinea earlier in the day. Algeria remain in Rabat to face Burkina Faso next, while Sudan travel to Casablanca seeking a response against Equatorial Guinea as they look to revive their tournament hopes.
