The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 tournament is underway, with reigning champions Ivory Coast beginning their title defence against Mozambique in Marrakech. The highly anticipated match kicked off at 17:31 GMT, with both nations eager to secure a strong start in the continental competition. Early exchanges saw both teams probing for openings, demonstrating the tactical battles that often define opening fixtures.
Within the first ten minutes, Mozambique registered the game’s initial shot on target. A speculative effort from Catamao tested Ivorian goalkeeper Fofana, who managed to parry the ball away, albeit with a save that appeared to slightly surprise him. This early warning shot from the underdogs indicated their intent to challenge the established order and not simply play for a draw.
Ivory Coast, meanwhile, displayed flashes of their attacking prowess. Young winger Diomande, who has been in formidable form for RB Leipzig, proved a handful for the Mozambique defence. His dynamic runs down the left flank created immediate problems, though a promising appeal for a penalty after a collision with Mexer was correctly waved away by the referee.
As the first half progressed, Mozambique continued to show their attacking ambition, forcing several corners through determined play from their right-back Calila and winger Catamo. While these set-pieces did not yield immediate goals, they highlighted the Mambas’ ability to create dangerous situations, often through quick transitions and overlapping runs.
Despite the early pressure from Mozambique, Ivory Coast also had their opportunities. A free-kick awarded for a foul on Manchester United’s Diallo, positioned advantageously on the edge of the box, ultimately failed to trouble the Mozambique wall. The reigning champions would need to be more clinical with their set-piece opportunities as the match wore on.
The defensive pairing of Reinildo and Mexer for Mozambique appeared solid, thwarting several Ivorian attacks. However, the Mambas were also caught out by the pace of Ivory Coast’s attackers, with Witi missing a presentable chance from a cross in the box, hurried by Seri. The match remained goalless, with both sides demonstrating periods of dominance and attacking intent.
