AFCON: Riyad Mahrez nets double to inspire Algeria to victory against Sudan

The 34-year-old Algeria captain found the back of the net in each half while Ibrahim Maza also scored to make sure the north African side kick off Group E on a winning note.

The game was also significant for Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of French football legend Zinedine Zidane, making his AFCON debut with his famous father watching on in the stand.

Having watched neighbours Tunisia, Egypt and host nation Morocco start the continental tournament with wins, Algeria would have been under pressure going into the contest.

The Fennec Foxes made the perfect start when Mahrez finished off a good team move from deep to open the scoring in the second minute.

Sudan tasked of getting back into the match took a nose dive when Salah Adel was sent off just before the halftime interval for two yellow cards.

Mahrez then doubled Algeria's advantage on the scoreboard, producing another neat finish just after the hour mark.

The game seemed dead and buried for Sudan and there was still time for substitute Ibrahim Maza to get his name on the score sheet late on.

Algeria sit joint top of Group E with Burkina Faso, who beat Equatorial Guinea 2-1 in their tournament opener.

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