Jean-Philippe Krasso proved the unlikely hero as Ivory Coast opened the defence of their Africa Cup of Nations title with a 2-0 win over Zambia in Bouake on Friday.
The second-half double from Krasso gave the Ivorians the victory as they kicked off their Group G match against Chipolopolo. Krasso was initially omitted from the squad for the Group G clash but replaced star striker Sebastien Haller, who was summoned as a late replacement, and struck twice in the second half to seal the triumph.
Haller was not available for the match, having sealed a transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Leganes, but Krasso, who came on for the forward who scored the winning goal in Ivory Coast’s 2-1 win over Nigeria in the 2024 AFCON final, came off the bench and scored two key goals that ensured the Elephants got off to a flying start in the defence of their title.
The hosts of the 2025 AFCON, Morocco, thumped Gabon 4-1 in Group B to take automatic qualification in style. Two penalties by Hakim Ziyech saw the Moroccans take advantage of the qualifiers to hone their competitive edge for next year’s event.
Elsewhere, record seven-time AFCON champions Egypt impressed in a commanding 3-0 win over Cape Verde in Cairo as Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush found the back of the net with Egypt dominant in the Group C opener.
In Group L, Burkina Faso came from behind to steal a 1-1 draw against 2022 champions Senegal in Dakar courtesy of a dramatic 95-minute equalizer. Sadio Mane had given the hosts an early lead, but Ousseni Bouda’s stoppage-time goal ensured Burkina Faso left with a precious point.
South Africa, bronze medalists at the 2024 AFCON, came back from two goals down to force a 2-2 draw against Uganda in Group K, with debutant Thalente Mbatha scoring in added time. Lyle Foster had given South Africa an early lead, but Uganda replied with two quick goals early in the second half through Denis Omedi and Rogers Mato. South Africa goalkeeper Veli Mothwa, standing in for injured captain Ronwen Williams, was then at fault as Uganda took the lead when he allowed Mato’s long-range shot to slip through his hands. Mbatha’s last-minute goal rescued a point for South Africa in Soweto.
In Group H, the Democratic Republic of Congo edged past Guinea 1-0 through a brilliant 27th-minute effort from Watford midfielder Edo Kayembe as his shot from distance outside the box was enough to seal the win in Kinshasa.
Meanwhile, Kenya and Zimbabwe-both back in AFCON action after being barred from the last edition due to governmental interference-played to a 0-0 draw in Group J. The match was held in Kampala, Uganda, as Kenya is renovating a number of stadiums in Nairobi in preparation for the co-hosting of the CHAN for home-based players.
The first matchday wraps up Saturday with former winners Cameroon and Nigeria among the six teams in action. Day two begins Sunday with 24 matches on tap.
