The Ivorians, who toiled for extended periods against the Mambas' resolute defence, clinched victory courtesy of a solitary strike from Amad Diallo early in the second half.

Two years ago, on home soil, the Elephants narrowly navigated the group stage, following a humbling 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea and the subsequent departure of coach Jean-Louis Gasset, yet remarkably recovered to lift the trophy against Nigeria in the final.

Placed in a formidable Group F this year alongside Gabon and Cameroon, the Ivorians understood the imperative of securing maximum points against Mozambique, widely considered the most beatable opponent, given their track record of never progressing beyond the group stage in five prior AFCON showings.

While the primary objective was met, the performance was far from convincing, particularly in the first half, where their attacking efficiency proved elusive (registering 15 shots throughout the match, but only 5 on target).

Dominating possession and largely encamped in the opposition half, they fashioned several opportunities but rarely looked genuinely threatening. Early chances included a tame header from Wilfried Zaha in the 16th minute, a scuffed effort from Guela Doue – older brother of French international Desire – in the 22nd, and a poorly controlled volley from Yan Diomande, which Ernan Siluane comfortably tipped behind for a corner in the 26th.

Emerse Fae, now in his second AFCON at the helm after his remarkable transition from assistant to head coach during the January-February 2024 triumph, faced selection headaches. He was without key forwards Sebastien Haller, sidelined by injury for the entire tournament, and Nicolas Pepe, omitted following controversial comments regarding dual nationals.

In the 34th minute, Ghislain Konan, perfectly positioned in the box following a cut-back from Diallo, believed he had broken the deadlock, only for his left-footed strike to clip the Mambas' left post. Moments later, their goalkeeper was fortunate to be in the right place to thwart a powerful header from Franck Kessie in the 45th minute.

The decisive breakthrough arrived swiftly after the interval. A cross from the right flank by Doue, expertly headed down by Kessie, set up Diallo to clinically finish past Siluane from close range in the 49th minute.

Against a limited Mozambican outfit that offered scant attacking threat, the Ivorians subsequently looked to consolidate their lead and put the result beyond question.

However, neither Ibrahim Sangare nor Kessie, both unmarked at the back post, could convert a Zaha cross into what appeared to be an empty net in the 66th minute.

The Elephants were then nearly punished in stoppage time (90+4) when Geny Catamo, the Sporting Portugal forward, embarked on a superb solo run into the box, only to be denied a dramatic equaliser by the vigilant Yahia Fofana.

The Ivorians will now prepare for their second group stage encounter, a clash against Cameroon scheduled for Sunday (9 PM).

Geny Catamo

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