RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Ivory Coast got its Africa Cup of Nations title defense off to a winning start and France great Zinedine Zidane watched his goalkeeper son’s safe hands as Algeria also started its campaign with a victory Wednesday.
Riyad Mahrez scored twice and the 20-year-old Ibrahim Maza scored his first international goal for Algeria, one of the tournament favorites, to beat 10-man Sudan 3-0 to move top of Group E.
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Ivory Coast's Seko Fofana is challenged by Mozambique's goalkeeper Ernan during the Africa Cup of Nations group F soccer match between Ivory Coast and Mozambique in Marrakech, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Ivory Coast's Vakoun Bayo and Mozambique's Mexer compete for the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations group F soccer match between Ivory Coast and Mozambique in Marrakech, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Algeria's players pose for the team picture before the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Algeria's Riyad Mahrez, left, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Algeria's Riyad Mahrez celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Algeria's Riyad Mahrez celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Zinedine Zidane attends the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Algeria's Ibrahim Maza, left, celebrates with Algeria's Baghdad Bounedjah after scoring his side's third goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
“The most important thing was to start with a win,” Mahrez said. “The last two AFCONs, we didn’t start good. Today, we really wanted to make it happen and we did.”
Zidane, who was at the sweet-smelling Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat to see his son Luca Zidane playing in the Algeria goal, was feted by the crowd every time he was shown on the big screens.
Luca Zidane opted to represent his grandfather’s country after getting the Fennec Foxes’ invitation and he’s been given his chance to shine because of an injury to Alexandre Oukidja, who might have been expected to start otherwise.
Algeria wasted little time Wednesday with Mahrez sweeping in the opener in the second minute after unselfish play from Hicham Boudaoui to set him up.
Zidane was called into action shortly afterward to deny Yaser Awad on a break.
Sudan had to play all its qualification games away from home because of the near 1,000-day old civil war ravaging the country.
Though the Algerians looked confident and played with intensity, the big chances fell at the other end, with Zidane saving again from Awad before Abdel Raouf fired over.
Salah Adil was sent off just as the rain began to fall shortly before the break with his second yellow card for a foul on Rayan Aït-Nouri, who would have been through otherwise.
But the Algerian fans, who were in a majority, needed to be patient.
Mohammed Amoura produced a brilliant cross with the outside of his boot for Mahrez to score in the 61st, and Baghdad Bounedjah headed the ball into Maza’s path for the substitute to complete the scoring in the 85th.
"I'm very happy," Maza told The Associated Press. “My first goal in my first African Cup game, it couldn't go any better for me, Alhamdulillah.”
Amad Diallo's second-half strike was enough for defending champion Ivory Coast to beat Mozambique 1-0 in a rain-soaked game in Fez.
The Elephants’ captain, Franck Kessie, headed the ball back and Diallo struck it inside the far corner shortly after the break.
Ivory Coast, which won the title in scarcely believable fashion on home ground in the last edition, missed a host of chances to finish the game with Vakoun Bayo having two good chances blocked late on.
Then Geny Catamo eluded three Ivorian defenders in stoppage time only to lack power with his final shot, which was gathered by goalkeeper Yahia Fofana to safeguard the win.
In the other Group F game, Etta Eyong’s early goal through the goalkeeper’s legs was enough for five-time champion Cameroon to beat Gabon 1-0 in the coastal city of Agadir.
Edmond Tapsoba completed a remarkable turnaround as Burkina Faso scored two goals in stoppage time to beat 10-man Equatorial Guinea 2-1 in the early Group E game.
Tapsoba’s team had pushed hard for the opening goal after Basilio Ndong was sent off early in the second half for a bad challenge on Bertrand Traoré’s ankle.
Marvin Anieboh then stunned the Stallions when he launched himself at Carlos Akapo’s cross to score with a looping header in the 85th minute.
Georgi Minoungou equalized in the fifth minute of stoppage time and Tapsoba headed the winner three minutes after that.
AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations
Ivory Coast's Seko Fofana is challenged by Mozambique's goalkeeper Ernan during the Africa Cup of Nations group F soccer match between Ivory Coast and Mozambique in Marrakech, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Ivory Coast's Vakoun Bayo and Mozambique's Mexer compete for the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations group F soccer match between Ivory Coast and Mozambique in Marrakech, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Algeria's players pose for the team picture before the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Algeria's Riyad Mahrez, left, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Algeria's Riyad Mahrez celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Algeria's Riyad Mahrez celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Zinedine Zidane attends the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Algeria's Ibrahim Maza, left, celebrates with Algeria's Baghdad Bounedjah after scoring his side's third goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Down 3-1 to the Boston Celtics in their Eastern Conference first-round series, the Philadelphia 76ers looked doomed.
Far from it.
For the 11th consecutive season, a road team has won a Game 7 in the NBA playoffs. Philadelphia did the honors on Saturday night, and on Sunday, the Orlando Magic and Toronto Raptors will look to join that club.
Orlando goes to Detroit, and Toronto goes to Cleveland to wrap up the first round. The winners of those games will meet Tuesday in Game 1 of an Eastern Conference semifinal series.
— Game 7, Orlando at Detroit, 3:30 p.m. EDT (ABC)
Series: Tied, 3-3.
Odds: Detroit by 8.5.
The Pistons are playing a Game 7 for the 11th time and the first since 2006. The Magic are playing their fifth Game 7, the first since 2024.
— Game 7, Toronto at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. EDT (NBC/Peacock)
Series: Tied, 3-3.
Odds: Cleveland by 8.5.
The Raptors are in their seventh Game 7 and first since 2020. The Cavaliers are in their ninth Game 7, their first since 2024.
— Game 1, Philadelphia at New York, 8 p.m. EDT (NBC/Peacock)
Odds: New York by 7.5 points.
It's the fifth time (including the Syracuse era for the 76ers) that the teams have met in a conference semifinal series. Philadelphia won each of the previous four, going a combined 14-2 in those games.
— Game 1, Minnesota at San Antonio, 9:30 p.m. EDT (Peacock/NBCSN)
Odds: San Antonio by 13.5.
Spurs beat the Timberwolves 3-1 in the first round of the 1999 and 2001 playoffs. The teams haven't had a playoff series since, until now.
— 76ers 109, Celtics 100 to win series 4-3. Jayson Tatum didn't play.
A breakdown of this season's NBA awards:
— Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year: DeAndre Jordan, New Orleans.
— Hustle Award: Moussa Diabaté, Charlotte.
— Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio.
— Clutch Player of the Year: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City.
— Sixth Man of the Year: Keldon Johnson, San Antonio.
— Sportsmanship Award: Derrick White, Boston.
— Most Improved Player: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta.
— Rookie of the Year: Cooper Flagg, Dallas.
— Executive of the Year: Brad Stevens, Boston.
Among the announcements still to come:
— Most Valuable Player: Gilgeous-Alexander, Wembanyama or Denver's Nikola Jokic.
— Coach of the Year: Detroit's J.B. Bickerstaff, San Antonio's Mitch Johnson or Boston's Joe Mazzulla.
Defending champion Oklahoma City (-140) is favored to win the NBA title, oddsmakers say.
Entering Sunday, the Thunder were followed by San Antonio (+300), New York (+900), Detroit (+2000), Cleveland (+2200) and the Los Angeles Lakers (+3000). Philadelphia (+3500, from +10000 on Saturday) is next, followed by Minnesota (+15000). Orlando entered Sunday at +40000.
The Flyers are in the second round of the NHL playoffs. The 76ers are in the second round of the NBA playoffs.
This is a great thing for Philadelphia — and a bit of a scheduling headache for the Sixers' home arena.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band were supposed to play there on Friday, but that night will be Game 3 of Knicks-76ers. Springsteen's concert was moved to May 30, which will become the final night of his 20-stop tour.
He also is going to play at Madison Square Garden twice in the next two weeks, but those dates — May 11 and May 16 — won't conflict with any planned Knicks home games.
— Monday and Tuesday: Conference semifinals begin.
— May 10: NBA draft lottery.
— May 10-17: NBA draft combine.
— May 17 or 19: Eastern Conference finals begin on ESPN and ABC.
— May 18 or 20: Western Conference finals begin on NBC and Peacock.
— June 3: Game 1, NBA Finals on ABC. (Other finals dates: June 5, June 8, June 10, June 13, June 16 and June 19).
— June 23: Round 1, NBA draft
— June 24: Round 2, NBA draft
"There’s two sides of every coin. When you go after greatness, you have to accept the other side of that." — Boston coach Joe Mazzulla, after the Celtics lost to Philadelphia in Game 7 of their East first-round series.
— Even with Saturday's season-ending loss, Boston won 57% of its games this season when missing 30 or more 3-pointers. The rest of the league has won in that scenario 35% of the time this season.
— Philadelphia's Kyle Lowry has been part of two Game 7 road wins in his career. Both were at Boston — the 2023 East finals with Miami, and then Saturday night's victory.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba
Toronto Raptors' RJ Barrett (9) celebrates with fans after a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 in the first round of an NBA basketball playoffs series in Toronto, Friday, May 1, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors' RJ Barrett (9) celebrates after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in overtime of Game 6 in the first round of an NBA basketball playoffs series in Toronto on Friday, May 1, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) celebrates during the second half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Houston Rockets in Houston, Friday, May 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid celebrates following his team's victory over the Boston Celtics after the Game 7 in a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Saturday, May 2, 2026 in Boston. (AP Photo/Jim Davis)
Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid celebrates following his team's victory over the Boston Celtics after the Game 7 in a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Saturday, May 2, 2026 in Boston. (AP Photo/Jim Davis)
New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) shoots during Game 6 in a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jaylen Clark (22) celebrates a basket against the Denver Nuggets during the second half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jaylen Clark (22) get into an altercation during the second half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (1) celebrates his three-point basket against the Denver Nuggets during the second half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum goes up for a dunk during the second half of Game 6 in a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander celebrates a scores against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series, Monday, April 27, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander celebrates with fans after Game 4 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Phoenix Suns, Monday, April 27, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr., left, celebrates as Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves walks off after the Rockets defeated the Lakers in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Antonio Spurs forward/guard Keldon Johnson (3) celebrates with teammates after Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Portland Trail Blazers in San Antonio, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) celebrates after scoring against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter in Game 5 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Fans watch Portland Trail Blazers player introductions before Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series against the San Antonio Spurs, in Portland, Ore., Sunday, April 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum, right, tries to get past Philadelphia 76ers' Kelly Oubre Jr. during the second half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Sunday, April 26, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia 76ers' Paul George (8) and Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown (7) reach for a loose ball during the first half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Sunday, April 26, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. dives for a loose ball during the first half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Detroit Pistons, Monday, April 27, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane (3) goes after a loose ball against Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson during the second half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Monday, April 27, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams (6) scores against Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale during the second half of Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama reacts after a shot during the first half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series against the Portland Trail Blazers, in Portland, Ore., Sunday, April 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards kneels on the court after sustaining an injury during the first half of Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots against Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) during the first half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots against Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) during the first half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle dunks during the second half of Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) sits on the court after sustaining an injury during the first half of Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum, left, goes up for a shot past Philadelphia 76ers' Adem Bona during the second half of Game 3 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, center, wears street cloths on the bench as he sits out Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland, Ore, Friday, April 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, talks to guard Bronny James during the first half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Houston Rockets, Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff cheers on the Detroit Piston during the second half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series against the Orlando Magic Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) passes over Phoenix Suns forward Oso Ighodaro (11) during the second half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
San Antonio Spurs guard De'aaron Fox (4) drives to the basket past Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant, left, during the second half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series in San Antonio, Sunday, April 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) blocks a shot by Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) in the second half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series in Cleveland, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) sits on the court after a hard fall during the first half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Portland Trail Blazers in San Antonio, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) gestures to the crowd in the first half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series against the Toronto Raptors in Cleveland, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Toronto Raptors guard Ja'kobe Walter (14) and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reach for the ball in the second half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series in Cleveland, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives past Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) during the second half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series in San Antonio, Sunday, April 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, talks to his son guard Bronny James during the first half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Houston Rockets, Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) and forward Tristan da Silva (23) celebrate after a win over the Detroit Pistons in Game 1 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Sunday, April 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry celebrates after scoring during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game against the against the Los Angeles Clippers, Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) lies on the court during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer watches in the closing minutes of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game between the Clippers and the Golden State Warriors Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James looks to make a pass during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
