Algeria, led by captain Riyad Mahrez, secured a dominant 3-0 victory against 10-man Sudan in their Africa Cup of Nations Group E opener. Mahrez scored twice, with Ibrahim Maza adding a late goal to start their campaign strongly.

• Riyad Mahrez scored his first goal just 82 seconds into the match.
• Sudan's chances were severely hampered when Salaheldin Adil received a red card for a second booking before halftime.
• The match was attended by France legend Zinedine Zidane, whose son Luca was in goal for Algeria.
• Ibrahim Maza scored Algeria's 100th AFCON goal, making the final score 3-0.
• In another Group E match, Burkina Faso came from behind to beat 10-man Equatorial Guinea 2-1 with two injury-time goals.

The Democratic Republic of Congo began their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 1-0 victory over Benin in Rabat. The lone goal came from Theo Bongonda, securing crucial three points in their Group D opener.

• Theo Bongonda of Spartak Moscow scored the winning goal in the 16th minute.
• A goal by Cedric Bakambu was disallowed for offside after a VAR check.
• DR Congo, with players like Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Noah Sadiki, aims to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, facing New Caledonia or Jamaica in a play-off.

Tunisia defeated Uganda 3-1 in their opening Africa Cup of Nations Group C match, with Elias Achouri scoring a brace. This victory places Tunisia at the top of their group.

• Elias Achouri scored two goals, complemented by an early opener from Ellyes Skhiri.
• The match was held in Rabat on December 23, 2025, and played in "relentless rain."
• Tunisia will face Nigeria next on Saturday in Fes in what is anticipated to be a decisive group stage match.

Continental powerhouses Senegal and Nigeria kicked off their Africa Cup of Nations campaigns with victories in Morocco, with Senegal dominating their match and Nigeria securing a harder-fought win.

• Nicolas Jackson scored two goals for Senegal in their **3-0** victory over Botswana.
• Nigeria edged out Tanzania 2-1, with goals from Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman, despite star striker Victor Osimhen failing to score.
• Other winners included the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tunisia, who secured a **3-1** win against Uganda.

Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez is optimistic his team can overcome past disappointments at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as they prepare to begin their campaign in Morocco this week.

• Algeria, winners of the 2019 AFCON, will aim to improve on their last two performances where they were eliminated in the group stages in 2021 and 2024.
• The team, currently ranked as the fourth-best in Africa by FIFA, will face Sudan on Wednesday.
• New generation players include VfL Wolfsburg forward Mohamed Amoura and goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of French legend Zinedine Zidane.