Ivory Coast fight back to pip Cameroon for top spot in AFCON group

Late substitute Bazoumana Toure netted in added time as Ivory Coast overturned a two goal deficit to defeat Gabon 3-2 in Marrakesh on Wednesday, claiming the top position in Group F of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Cameroon trailed too against Mozambique in Agadir, but a powerful strike by Christian Kofane secured a 2-1 win.

The title holders Ivory Coast and Cameroon concluded with matching seven points and a goal difference of plus two. Ivory Coast took first place by virtue of scoring five goals to Cameroons four.

These outcomes finalised the round of 16 draw. Ivory Coast takes on Burkina Faso, Cameroon faces South Africa, and Mozambique meets Nigeria.

In the central Moroccan city of Marrakesh, Gabon surprised Ivory Coast by forging a two goal lead around the halfway mark of the first half, yet the champions narrowed the margin shortly before the interval to enter halftime down 2-1.

Guelor Kanga opened the scoring for the Gabonese Panthers after 11 minutes. Their most prominent player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had travelled back to France to treat a thigh injury.

The 2015 African footballer of the year had netted in a 3-2 defeat to Mozambique three days earlier, which saw Gabon exit the tournament short of the 16 teams advancing to the knockouts.

Ivory Coast slipped further behind on 21 minutes as Denis Bouanga, based in Los Angeles, registered his debut goal of the competition.

Ivorian forward Jean-Philippe Krasso struck on 44 minutes following a pass from Wilfried Zaha, the ex-Crystal Palace wide player summoned back to the AFCON squad after sitting out the victorious 2024 effort.

Tightrope

Halfway into the second half, the champions withdrew captain Franck Kessie and Zaha, though Amad Diallo, who found the net in the opening two group fixtures, stayed an unused substitute.

The Manchester United winger Diallo eventually came on at the 76 minute mark for Oumar Diakiate, who risked ejection after receiving a yellow card.

Yet another replacement, Evann Guessand, drew level with six minutes of normal time to play. The Aston Villa forward joined the team at short notice when injured Sebastien Haller stepped aside.

Toure then converted for a thrilling success by the three time champions. They seek to become the initial nation retaining the crown since Egypt achieved it in 2010.

In the southern coastal Moroccan city of Agadir, Cameroon greats Roger Milla and Samuel Eto'o sat in the stands witnessing Mozambique grab an unexpected lead on 23 minutes.

Geny Catamo of top Portuguese outfit Sporting launched a low effort that rebounded in front of custodian Devis Epassy and edged inside the left upright.

The advantage endured for five minutes before the five time champions Cameroon restored parity through an own goal from Feliciano Nene Jone.

Confronted by two free Cameroonian forwards, shot stopper Ivane Urrubal parried the ball, which broke free to Frank Magri.

Magri struck the woodwork, and Nene, in his clearance bid, only directed the ball into the Mozambique goal.

Cameroon netted once more 10 minutes afterwards, but the effort from Germany dwelling 19 year old Kofane got chalked off for offside.

The youngster compensated for the setback by sending the Indomitable Lions into the lead on 55 minutes via a blistering long range drive that clipped the crossbars underside en route to the net.