By THE SCM REPORTER in Marrakech
THE ELEPHANTS have started their march through the desert with a victory—but they were made to sweat in the Moroccan heat.
Reigning champions Ivory Coast kicked off their Africa Cup of Nations defense with a narrow 1-0 win over a stubborn Mozambique side at the stunning Stade de Marrakech.
Under the watchful eyes of the Atlas Mountains, it was Manchester United starlet Amad Diallo who provided the spark of genius needed to break the deadlock in a venue that felt more like a cauldron of tension than a football stadium.
Despite dominating possession in the first half, the Ivorians looked uncharacteristically blunt in front of goal.
Former Crystal Palace man Wilfried Zaha and skipper Franck Kessie both saw chances go begging as the Mozambican “Mambas” sat deep and hissed at every attack.
But just four minutes into the second half, the breakthrough finally arrived. Kessie turned provider, nodding a cross perfectly into the path of Diallo, who showed no nerves to slot home his first-ever AFCON goal.
The venue played a starring role in this opening Group F clash.
The Stade de Marrakech, with its distinctive red-ochre walls echoing the ancient city’s architecture, provided a vibrant backdrop as thousands of traveling Ivorian fans turned the Moroccan night orange.
Mozambique, ranked 60 places below the champions, nearly spoiled the party late on.
They introduced 42-year-old legend Elias “Domingues” Pelembe—making him the second-oldest player in the tournament’s history—to try and snatch a point, but the Ivorian defense held firm under the floodlights.
The Elephants move on to a mouth-watering clash with Cameroon on Sunday, staying right here in Marrakech.
If they want to become the first team since 2010 to defend the crown, they’ll need to find their scoring boots fast.
