AFCON Wrap: Mahrez leads Algeria’s rout of Sudan as Burkina Faso pull off dramatic win

Algeria made their intentions of winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations clear when they thrashed Sudan 3-0 to begin their tournament with a flourish.

Superstar Riyad Mahrze showed his class with two goals as the flawless Desert Foxes subdued their opponents with Ibrahim Maza completing the rout five minutes from time in Rabat on Wednesday.

Mahrez struck home the opening goal following a neat exchange of passes among the Algerians on the edge of the box, firing in after a lovely backheel from Hicham Boudaoui.

Mahrez show class against Sudan

After the break, chances fell to Chaibi and Baghdad Bounedjah but they could not extend Algeria’s lead until just after the hour mark, when Mahrez struck again to give the Desert Foxes a 2-0 lead.

The former Manchester City winger had the ball fall to him kindly on the edge of the box and on his stronger left foot after which he rifled it home to give Algeria breathing space.

Algeria kept asking more questions and were rewarded with a third goal in the 85^th minute when Bounedjah headed the ball down with Ibrahim Maza scoring from close range.

Burkina Faso in dramatic win

The victory sent Algeria top of Group E with three points but with a superior goal difference ahead of Burkina Faso, who beat Equatorial Guinea 2-1 in dramatic fashion.

The Burkinabe looked like they were headed for a 1-0 loss against 10-man Equatorial Guinea when Marvin Anieboh gave the Equatoguineans the lead with five minutes to go.

However, drama ensued in stoppage time when Georgi Minoungou rifled home a clinical strike to draw level and in the 98th minute, Edmond Tapsoba headed home from inside the box as the Stallions stole it at the death in Casablanca.