The Africa Cup of Nations tournament continues to deliver dramatic results, as Group F concluded with a stunning upset and late drama. Cameroon’s 2-1 victory over Mozambique proved insufficient to secure the group lead, as Ivory Coast capitalized with a thrilling 3-2 win against Gabon to claim the top spot and automatic qualification to the knockout stage. Both teams will continue in the tournament, with Mozambique facing a challenging match against Nigeria and Cameroon set to play Burkina Faso.
Cameroon defeated Mozambique 2-1, but ultimately lost the top spot in Group F of the CAN tournament in a dramatic finish. Ivory Coast secured the group lead with a late goal in their 3-2 victory over Gabon.
Geny Catamo opened the scoring for Mozambique in the 23rd minute with a powerful strike, giving his side an early advantage.
The Sporting CP winger cut inside from the right flank and unleashed a shot combining placement and power for his second goal of the competition. Mozambique, also featuring Santa Clara’s Diogo Calila, who was forced off injured in the 15th minute, briefly held hopes of climbing to the top of the group, but an own goal by Nené brought them back down to earth.
Cameroon threatened, and Christian Kofane completed the comeback in the 39th minute, but the goal was disallowed for offside, leaving the score level at halftime. The Bayer Leverkusen forward wouldn’t be denied for long, however, blasting home a goal in the 55th minute.
The striker’s fierce shot propelled Cameroon to what appeared to be a comfortable victory over a Mozambique side seemingly already looking ahead to the knockout stages. The 60th-minute substitution of Geny Catamo signaled a clear attempt by Mozambique manager Chiquinho Conde to manage his players’ energy levels.
Ivane Urrubai maintained the narrow lead as Cameroon dominated the final half-hour. Despite failing to finish in the top two, Mozambique secured qualification for the knockout phase as one of the best third-placed teams.
Mozambique will face Nigeria, the runners-up from the previous edition, in the round of 16 on January 5th, while Cameroon will take on Burkina Faso a day later. Cameroon appeared to have the group lead locked up until Ivory Coast orchestrated an incredible turnaround against Gabon.
Ousmane Diomande made his debut and earned his first minutes in the CAN tournament for Ivory Coast, but the night didn’t start well for the defending champions. Already-eliminated Gabon proved to be a surprising challenge, with Guelor Kanga (11′) and Denis Bouanga (21′) building a stunning two-goal lead within the first half-hour.
Jean-Philippe Krasso responded in the 44th minute, but the Paris FC forward’s goal didn’t seem enough to spark a comeback for the champions. Evann Guessand ultimately restored Ivorian pride with an equalizer in the 84th minute. Just when a disappointing draw seemed inevitable, 19-year-old Bazoumana Toure sparked pandemonium in Marrakech, scoring the winning goal in the 91st minute for the side featuring Diomande and Konan.
Ivory Coast dramatically clinched the top spot in Group F and will face Burkina Faso in the round of 16.
Mali vs Tunisia (January 3)
Senegal vs Sudan (January 3)
Egypt vs Benin (January 5)
Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso (January 6)
South Africa vs Cameroon (January 4)
Morocco vs Tanzania (January 4)
Algeria vs Congo (January 6)
Nigeria vs Mozambique (January 5)
