AFCON 2025 Roundup: Côte d’Ivoire Fight Back To Beat Gabon As Kofane Fires Cameroon Into Knockouts

‎The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 delivered another electrifying evening across Morocco, showing dramatic comebacks and standout performances.

‎Côte d’Ivoire produced one of the tournament’s biggest turnarounds, while Cameroon unveiled a new star in Christian Kofane and Burkina Faso sealed qualification with authority.

‎Algeria’s impressive depth also reinforced its status as one of the favourites for the title.

‎Côte d’Ivoire vs Gabon

‎In Marrakech, Côte d’Ivoire produced a breathtaking comeback to defeat already eliminated Gabon 3–2, clinching top spot in Group F most dramatically.

‎The Elephants endured a disastrous start when Guélor Kanga gave Gabon an early lead after goalkeeper Alban Lafont spilled a tame shot directly into his path. Things worsened ten minutes later when Denis Bouanga curled a magnificent effort into the far corner from the left side of the box, leaving Lafont with no chance.

‎Côte d’Ivoire struggled to create meaningful chances until past the half-hour mark when Oumar Diakité powered into the box and smashed a shot against the post. A moment that seemed to awaken the Ivorian attack.

‎Their persistence paid off just before halftime when Jean-Philippe Krasso tapped in from close range after Wilfried Zaha delivered a precise low cross from the left.

‎Gabon should have restored their two-goal lead early in the second half when Clench Loufilou found himself unmarked at the back post but astonishingly skewed a simple finish wide.

‎That miss proved costly. With six minutes left on the clock, Evann Guessand rose unmarked to head in an equaliser from a corner.

‎The Ivorians were not done yet. Deep into added time, 19-year-old Bazoumana Touré became the hero of the night, timing his run perfectly to head home the winner and complete a comeback that electrified the stadium.

‎The victory lifted Côte d’Ivoire to seven points, narrowly ahead of Cameroon on goals scored.

‎Cameroon vs Mozambique

‎In Agadir, Cameroon overcame Mozambique 2–1 in a match remembered chiefly for the brilliance of teenage sensation Christian Kofane.

‎Mozambique struck first when Geny Catamo unleashed a powerful low drive from outside the box midway through the first half, giving his side an unexpected advantage.

‎Their lead, however, was short-lived. Cameroon equalised through a bizarre sequence when Frank Magri’s shot deflected off defender Nené, struck the post, then rebounded onto the fallen full-back who inadvertently knocked the ball into his own net.

‎With the game finely balanced, Christian Kofane seized the spotlight. The 19-year-old Bayer Leverkusen prospect, making only his second national-team appearance, stepped up to deliver a thunderous strike from the edge of the area in the 55th minute.

‎His rocket-like effort flew past the goalkeeper and became the winning goal, cementing his arrival as one of the most exciting young talents at the tournament.

‎The victory sends Cameroon into a Round of 16 matchup against South Africa, while Mozambique now prepares to face Nigeria.

‎Burkina Faso vs Sudan

‎In Casablanca, Burkina Faso sealed second place in Group E with a well-earned 2–0 win over Sudan.

‎The Stallions took the lead after sixteen minutes when Lassina Traoré rose to meet a looping cross from Stephane Aziz Ki and guided his header inside the far post.

‎Sudan was handed a golden opportunity to get back into the game when Hervé Koffi brought down Al-Jezoli Nouh inside the box, but the forward dragged his penalty wide, allowing Burkina Faso to breathe again.

‎Sudan’s frustrations grew as they squandered several more chances, and Burkina Faso ultimately punished them.

‎Arsène Kouassi raced onto a well-weighted pass from Dango Ouattara and calmly rolled the ball past the goalkeeper from fifteen yards, sealing the victory. Burkina Faso finished with six points, three behind group winners Algeria.

‎Sudan, despite the defeat, progresses as one of the four best third-placed teams and now faces a daunting knockout clash with Senegal.

‎Algeria vs Equatorial Guinea

‎Algeria continued their perfect run in Group E with a comfortable 3–1 victory over Equatorial Guinea in Rabat.

‎Having already secured top spot, Algeria made nine changes to their lineup, yet their performance remained assured and dominant. They struck three times before the break, with Zineddine Belaïd converting first, followed by Farès Chaïbi and Ibrahim Maza, each taking advantage of sharp attacking movements and defensive lapses from their opponents.

‎Equatorial Guinea improved in the second half and found a consolation through veteran striker Emilio Nsue, who capitalised on a rare defensive lapse.

‎But the outcome was never in doubt. Algeria’s largely rotated squad displayed impressive cohesion and control, reinforcing their status as one of the tournament favourites.

‎They now prepare for a Round of 16 showdown with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while Equatorial Guinea exits the competition without any points.