Ivory Coast secures top spot in AFCON group with comeback victory over Gabon

Ivory Coast Advances to Africa Cup of Nations Last 16, Cameroon and Mozambique Also Secure Spots

In Marrakesh, Ivory Coast edged past Gabon 3-2 in a thrilling match that saw the defending champions come from two goals down to top Group F. The Ivorians scored five goals, while Cameroon finished with four, securing their spot in the last 16 alongside Burkina Faso.

Gabon took an early lead through Guelor Kanga’s goal on 11 minutes, but Ivory Coast responded with Jean-Philippe Krasso scoring on 44 minutes. Denis Bouanga doubled Gabon’s lead before halftime, leaving the Ivorians trailing 2-1 at the break.

Ivory Coast levelled the score just before halftime through Evann Guessand’s equalizer in the 86th minute. The match remained tied until stoppage time, when Bazoumana Toure scored to seal a 3-2 victory for Ivory Coast.

In Agadir, Cameroon secured a 2-1 win over Mozambique, with Christian Kofane scoring the decisive goal on 55 minutes. Geny Catamo had given Mozambique an early lead, but Feliciano ‘Nene’ Jone conceded an own goal to level the score before Kofane’s thunderbolt sealed the victory.

The results have completed the last 16 lineup, with Ivory Coast facing Burkina Faso, Cameroon meeting South Africa, and Mozambique playing Nigeria.

Source: Al Jazeera