Algeria started their CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with a 3-1 win over Zambia. Morocco also won their match, while Egypt drew 0-0 with Angola on Friday.
Ibrahim Maza and Anis Hadj Moussa scored Algeria’s goals in the second half. The win marked a strong start for new coach Brahim Hamdani in his first game. Jaouen Hadjam scored first for Algeria just two minutes into the match.
Zambia equalised in the 57th minute with a goal from Fashion Sakala, but Maza quickly put Algeria back ahead in the 67th minute. Hadj Moussa, who came off the bench, scored the third goal in the 74th minute. Algeria kept their two-goal lead until the end of the match.
- Morocco also had a strong start, beating Gabon 2-0 in Group A.
Noussair Mazraoui scored in the 36th minute. Gabon tried to come back, but Morocco controlled the game and scored again in the 84th minute thanks to Soufiane Rahimi. Morocco now shares the top spot with Niger, who won 2-1 against Lesotho in another opening match.
- Record seven-time champions Egypt drew with Angola, finishing 0-0.
In Group B, Egypt thought they had scored in the 21st minute, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Despite pressing for a goal, Egypt’s offence could not break through Angola’s defence.
- Mali had a strong start in Group K, winning 3-1 against Cape Verde.
Martial Tia scored first for Mali in the 5th minute. Cape Verde equalised just five minutes later with a goal from Lopes Cabral. Nini Dorgeles then scored twice for Mali, first in the 39th minute and again six minutes into the second half, giving them a comfortable lead.
- In Group F, Burkina Faso and Benin ended their match in a 1-1 draw.
Burkina Faso took the lead with a penalty from Lassina Traoré in the 20th minute. Aiyegun Tosin equalised for Benin with another penalty in the 68th minute, and neither team was able to score again. Both teams earned one point from this match.
