AFCON: Amad Diallo give defending champions Ivory Coast a winning start

The holders dominated the encounter gut failed to break down a resolute Mozambique defence in the first half before Diallo's effort early after the halftime interval settled the contest.

Wilfried Zaha, playing his first international in more than two years, missed several opportunities in the opening stanza while Franck Kessie had two-point-blank efforts saved by goalkeeper Ernan Siluane.

The deadlock was broken four minutes after the teams came back for the second half as Manchester United winger Diallo side-footed his effort into the back of the net.

The Elephants should have buried their opponents but substitute Vakoun Bayo somehow put a header wide in the 89th minute when it looked easier to score.

Mozambique brought on winger Dominguez as a second-half substitute at the age of 42 years, one month and six days, becoming the oldest outfield player in tournament history, behind only former Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, who was 44 when he played in the 2017 final.

The result means Mozambique are yet to taste a victory in the continental tournament, dating back to their tournament debut in 1986.

Ivory Coast take an early advantage in Group F, that also includes Cameroon and Gabon, as they look to defend the trophy they won on home soil.

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