The Algerian national team has scored the fastest goal so far in the current edition of the Africa Cup of Nations football tournament, being held in Morocco.
The veteran star Riyad Mahrez opened the scoring for Algeria after just 81 seconds into the team’s match against Sudan on Wednesday, during the first round of matches in Group 5 of the tournament’s group stage.
From a swift counter-attack, Baghdad Bounedjah sent a forward pass to Mohamed Amine Amoura, who crossed the ball from the left side to Hicham Boudaoui. Boudaoui laid it off with a “backheel” to Mahrez, who struck directly with his left foot from inside the penalty area, placing the ball to the right of Sudanese goalkeeper Ali Abu Eshrein and into the net.
This goal is the 25th in the current edition of the tournament. It is Mahrez’s seventh goal in the Africa Cup of Nations, breaking his scoring drought in the competition since his historic goal against Nigeria in the semi-final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Algeria, the champion in 1990 and 2019, is seeking to advance to the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations. The team was eliminated in the group stage in the past two editions in Cameroon and Ivory Coast in 2021 and 2023, respectively.
It is worth noting that the group also includes the national teams of Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea.
Africa Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is the premier international men’s football competition in Africa, first held in 1957. It was founded to unite African nations emerging from colonialism and is organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The tournament is held every two years and has grown to become a major global sporting event.
Algeria
Algeria is a North African country with a rich history shaped by ancient Berber kingdoms, Roman rule, and centuries as part of the Ottoman Empire before becoming a French colony in the 19th century. It gained independence in 1962 after a protracted war of liberation, and its cultural heritage includes numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the Roman ruins of Timgad and the historic Casbah of Algiers.
Morocco
Morocco is a North African country with a rich history shaped by indigenous Amazigh (Berber) cultures, Arab influence from the 7th century, and successive dynasties like the Almoravids and Almohads. Its cultural sites, such as the ancient city of Fez and the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech, reflect this blend of Arab, Islamic, and Amazigh heritage. The country’s historic medinas, kasbahs, and varied landscapes from the Sahara Desert to the Atlas Mountains are central to its identity.
Sudan
Sudan, located in Northeast Africa, is home to ancient civilizations, most notably the Kingdom of Kush, which ruled from the city of Meroë and once conquered Egypt. Its modern history was marked by a long civil war, leading to the secession of South Sudan in 2011, and it features significant cultural sites like the archaeological remains of the Meroë pyramids.
Riyad Mahrez
Riyad Mahrez is not a place or cultural site, but a professional footballer from Algeria. He rose to prominence as a key player for Leicester City, helping them win the historic 2015-16 Premier League title, and has since played for clubs like Manchester City and Al Ahli.
Baghdad Bounedjah
Baghdad Bounedjah is a prominent Algerian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Al Sadd SC and the Algeria national team. He is best known for scoring the winning goal in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations final, securing the title for Algeria. The name “Baghdad” was given to him by his father in honor of the Iraqi capital city.
Mohamed Amine Amoura
Mohamed Amine Amoura is an Algerian professional footballer, not a place or cultural site. He currently plays as a forward for the Algerian national team and Belgian club Union SG, having begun his senior career with ES Sétif in Algeria.
Hicham Boudaoui
Hicham Boudaoui is a professional Algerian footballer, born on September 23, 1999, in Algiers. He began his senior career with Paradou AC in Algeria before transferring to the French club OGC Nice in 2019, where he plays as a midfielder and has represented the Algerian national team.
Ali Abu Eshrein
Ali Abu Eshrein is a prominent Sufi shrine and mosque located in Omdurman, Sudan, dedicated to a revered 19th-century holy man. It serves as a major center for religious gatherings and the annual celebration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday (Mawlid). The site is historically significant as a focal point for Islamic scholarship and Sufi practice in the region.
Nigeria
Nigeria is a West African country with a rich history shaped by ancient kingdoms like the Nri, Benin, and Oyo, as well as the transatlantic slave trade. It gained independence from British colonial rule in 1960 and is now Africa’s most populous nation, known for its diverse cultures, vibrant arts, and significant oil reserves.
Egypt
Egypt is home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations, with a recorded history spanning over 5,000 years and famed for its pharaohs, pyramids, and monuments along the Nile River. Its rich cultural heritage, from ancient wonders like the Great Sphinx to Islamic Cairo, continues to draw global interest and study.
Cameroon
Cameroon is a Central African country known for its diverse geography, ranging from beaches and rainforests to savannas and mountains. Historically, it was a German protectorate in the late 19th century before being divided into French and British administrative zones after World War I, achieving full independence in 1960. Its culture is exceptionally varied, with over 200 ethnic groups and linguistic influences from French, English, and numerous indigenous languages.
Ivory Coast
The Ivory Coast, officially known as Côte d’Ivoire, is a West African nation whose history includes powerful pre-colonial kingdoms, French colonization from the late 19th century, and independence in 1960. A key cultural site is the historic town of Grand-Bassam, a UNESCO World Heritage site that was the first French colonial capital and features well-preserved 19th and early 20th century architecture. The country is also renowned for its diverse cultural traditions, including the Goli mask festivals of the Baule people and the Senufo wood carvings.
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is a landlocked West African nation whose modern borders were established during French colonial rule, gaining independence in 1960. The region has a rich pre-colonial history, being home to several powerful kingdoms, including the Mossi states that date back to the 11th century. Its name, meaning “Land of Honest People,” was adopted in 1984.
Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea is a small Central African nation consisting of a mainland region and several islands, including Bioko where the capital, Malabo, is located. It gained independence from Spain in 1968 and is known for its significant oil reserves, discovered in the 1990s, which transformed its economy. The country’s cultural heritage includes traditions from its various ethnic groups, such as the Fang and Bubi peoples.
