Winning start at AFCON 2025 for Diomande and Ivory Coast | OneFootball

Yan Diomande and Ivory Coast got their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign off to a successful start, as the defending champions won their opening game against Mozambique 1-0 on Christmas Eve. The RBL winger played a significant part in the victory.

Diomande not only started, but also featured for the full distance. In what was only his fifth international match for "Les Éléphants," he worked the left wing with pace, repeatedly seeking out one-on-ones, driving past his opponents and bringing energy to their attacking play.

The statistics underline his strong performance: 75 touches, seven dribbles, five of which were successful – the most of any player on the pitch – three crosses and one big chance created. Diomande also went close to scoring after just a few seconds with a shot that hit the side netting, and tested the opposing keeper with a powerful shot in the 26th minute.

The only goal of the evening came shortly after the restart, as Amad Diallo converted a cross from Franck Kessié to make it 1-0 in the 48th minute.

With the win, Ivory Coast are currently level with Cameroon (1-0 win against Gabon) at the top of Group F. The two group leaders will now face off on Sunday (28th December) at 21:00 CET. 

Their final group stage match will take place on New Year's Eve (31st December 31, 20:00 CET) against Gabon and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The top two teams in the group will qualify for the round of 16.

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