Sports • 25 December 2025

Zinedine Zidane Watches As Son Helps Algeria Secure 3-0 Win In Africa Cup of Nations

Zinedine Zidane watched as his son Luca kept a clean sheet for Algeria in a 3-0 win over Sudan at the Africa Cup of Nations. Riyad Mahrez scored twice and Ibrahim Maza netted his first international goal, putting Algeria top of Group E.

Zinedine Zidane (left) watched his son Luca's top show against Sudan. (AP/AFP Photo)

Ivory Coast began their Africa Cup of Nations title defence with a victory while French football legend Zinedine Zidane watched his goalkeeper son help Algeria secure a win on Wednesday.

Riyad Mahrez scored twice and 20-year-old Ibrahim Maza netted his first international goal as Algeria, one of the tournament favourites, defeated a 10-man Sudan 3-0 to top Group E.

“The most important thing was to start with a win," Mahrez said. “The last two AFCONs, we didn’t start well. Today, we really wanted to make it happen, and we did."

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Zidane, attending the game at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, cheered on his son Luca Zidane, who played in goal for Algeria. Luca, who chose to represent his grandfather’s country after an invitation from the Fennec Foxes, was given a chance to shine due to Alexandre Oukidja’s injury.

Algeria wasted no time as Mahrez scored the opener in the second minute, set up by Hicham Boudaoui’s unselfish play. Shortly after, Luca Zidane made a crucial save to deny Yaser Awad on a break.

Sudan, forced to play all its qualification games away from home due to a nearly 1,000-day civil war, struggled against Algeria’s confident and intense play. Despite Sudan’s efforts, Zidane saved another attempt from Awad before Abdel Raouf fired over.

Salah Adil received a second yellow card and was sent off just before the break for a foul on Rayan Aït-Nouri, who was through on goal otherwise. Algerian fans had to be patient until the 61st minute when Mohammed Amoura’s brilliant cross set up Mahrez for his second goal. Baghdad Bounedjah then assisted Maza’s goal in the 85th minute, completing the 3-0 victory.

“I’m very happy," Maza told The Associated Press. “My first goal in my first African Cup game, it couldn’t go any better for me, Alhamdulillah."

In another match, defending champions Ivory Coast secured a 1-0 win against Mozambique in a rain-soaked game in Fez, thanks to Amad Diallo’s second-half strike. Captain Franck Kessie headed the ball back for Diallo, who scored shortly after the break. Despite several missed opportunities, including two by Vakoun Bayo, goalkeeper Yahia Fofana ensured the win with a late save.

In Group F, Cameroon edged past Gabon with a 1-0 win in Agadir, with Etta Eyong scoring an early goal through the goalkeeper’s legs.

Drama unfolded in Casablanca as Burkina Faso scored twice in stoppage time to defeat 10-man Equatorial Guinea 2-1. After Basilio Ndong was sent off for a challenge on Bertrand Traoré’s ankle, Marvin Anieboh’s header in the 85th minute stunned the Stallions. However, Georgi Minoungou equalized in the fifth minute of stoppage time, and Edmond Tapsoba scored the winner three minutes later, sealing a remarkable comeback.

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