AFCON: Cameroon Hold Champions Côte d’Ivoire as Algeria Seal Round of 16 Spot

Cameroon and defending champions Côte d’Ivoire shared the spoils in a gripping 1–1 draw in their second Group F match at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, played in Marrakesh.

Neither side could find a decisive edge after 90 minutes of high-quality, end-to-end football. Junior Tchamadeu’s deflected strike midway through the second half cancelled out a moment of brilliance from Amad Diallo, whose stunning opener had put the Ivorians ahead.

The opening exchanges were cagey and tactical, with both teams wary of conceding early. Cameroon came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 20th minute when Christian Kofane rose highest to meet a left-wing cross, only to see his header crash off the crossbar.

Côte d’Ivoire thought they had taken the lead just before halftime when captain Franck Kessié volleyed home from close range. However, celebrations were cut short as the goal was ruled out for offside in the build-up involving Vakoun Issouf Bayo.

The game came alive after the restart. Diallo broke the deadlock with a moment of magic, collecting the ball on the right, cutting inside onto his favoured left foot, and curling a sublime shot beyond goalkeeper Devis Epassy.

Cameroon responded swiftly. Five minutes later, Tchamadeu struck from inside the box, his effort taking a wicked deflection off Ghislain Konan to wrong-foot the goalkeeper and restore parity for the Indomitable Lions.

Both teams pushed hard for a winner in the closing stages. Bryan Mbeumo was well contained by the Ivorian defence, his closest effort coming from a free kick that narrowly missed the target.

The draw leaves Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire level on four points, with identical goals scored and conceded. Attention now turns to the final group fixtures on New Year’s Eve, with Cameroon facing Mozambique in Agadir and Côte d’Ivoire remaining in Marrakesh to take on already eliminated Gabon.

Algeria Edge Burkina Faso to Seal Round of 16 Spot

Captain Riyad Mahrez’s calm penalty conversion proved decisive as Algeria secured a narrow 1–0 victory over Burkina Faso to book their place in the Round of 16 at AFCON 2025.

The win moved Algeria to six points and confirmed their place at the top of Group E after back-to-back victories. Burkina Faso remain second on three points, level with Sudan, who earlier defeated Equatorial Guinea.

The contest was intense and physically demanding. Algeria were forced into an early change after Juan Hadjam was injured following a heavy challenge and replaced by Baghdad Bounedjah in the 13th minute.

The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when Rayan Aït-Nouri was fouled inside the area by Ismahila Ouedraogo. Mahrez stepped up and calmly dispatched the penalty to give Les Fennecs the lead.

Algeria could have doubled their advantage before the break, but Mohamed Amoura’s close-range effort from a Mahrez assist was saved.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Algeria creating chances but failing to convert. Ibrahim Maza and Aït-Nouri were both denied by an inspired Kouakou Koffi in the Burkina Faso goal.

Burkina Faso came close to equalising through substitute Georgi Minoungou, whose curling effort sailed just over the bar. Algeria, however, held firm to secure the win.

Algeria will face Equatorial Guinea in their final group match, while Burkina Faso meet Sudan in a decisive clash for qualification. Both matches will be played on New Year’s Eve.

Sudan Shock Equatorial Guinea to Ignite Group E

Sudan claimed a dramatic 1–0 victory over Equatorial Guinea on a cold night in Casablanca, throwing Group E wide open at AFCON 2025.

The match remained finely balanced until the 74th minute, when a dangerous Sudanese cross forced defender Saúl Coco into a desperate clearance that ended up in his own net.

After a heavy opening-match defeat, Sudan showed resilience and discipline. Goalkeeper Monged Abuzaid marshalled a resolute defence that absorbed sustained pressure from a technically gifted Equatorial Guinea side.

The win—Sudan’s first at the AFCON finals since 2012—lifts them level on points with the group leaders and sets up a winner-takes-all showdown against Burkina Faso on New Year’s Eve.

Beyond the points, the victory carried deep emotional significance, offering a moment of pride and hope for a nation facing immense challenges back home.

Mozambique End Long AFCON Drought with Historic Win

Mozambique secured a landmark 3–2 victory over Gabon at Stade Adrar, ending a 16-match winless run at the Africa Cup of Nations and claiming their first AFCON win in nearly four decades.

Faizal Bangal opened the scoring in the 37th minute with a powerful header from a Geny Catamo cross. Five minutes later, Catamo doubled the lead from the penalty spot after Dominguês was fouled in the box.

Gabon pulled one back deep into first-half stoppage time through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who pounced on a rebound to become one of the oldest goal scorers in AFCON history.

Mozambique restored their two-goal cushion shortly after the break when Diogo Calila powered home a header in the 52nd minute. Gabon responded with attacking changes, and substitute Alex Moucketou-Moussounda scored late to set up a tense finale.

Despite late pressure from the Panthers, goalkeeper Ernan Siluane produced crucial saves to protect the lead and seal a historic victory for the Mambas.