AFCON: New Year’s party in Group F – Ivory Coast's first place ahead of Cameroon after incredible comeback

Anyone who watched football on December 31 up until 00.00 can rightly say they are a true friend of the game. Those who decided to spend New Year’s Eve watching football had the chance to do so — and not just any football, not from an amateur or semi-professional league, but from the highly entertaining matches of the Africa Cup of Nations. Africans didn’t care much for New Year’s celebrations; they were the only ones in the world playing serious football in the final hours of 2025, and many thanks to them for that.

Two hours of quality entertainment were delivered to the fans by the players of Gabon and Ivory Coast in the final, third round of the group stage of the continental tournament. Uninterested Gabon had already lost all chances of reaching the round of the last 16 before this match, but wanted to bid farewell to the tournament with dignity, while Ivory Coast needed all three points to finish top of the group ahead of Cameroon, who in the other match of the final round defeated Mozambique 2–1 (1–1).

The duel at the stadium in Marrakesh began in shocking fashion, as Gabon were leading 2–0 after half an hour of play thanks to goals from Gelor Kanga (who pounced on a rebound after the goalkeeper’s save) and Denis Bouanga. It seemed the Elephants had already waved goodbye to first place in the group, but in first-half stoppage time Jean-Philippe Krasso reduced the deficit to 1–2.

Ivory Coast struggled in the second half, with Gabon still holding the advantage, and a draw was not enough for Emerse Fae’s team to finish first. Then, in the 84th minute, Ivory Coast equalized at 2–2 through Evan Guessand, who headed in after a corner. Desperate to claim top spot, Ivory Coast’s efforts paid off in the first minute of stoppage time when Hoffenheim teenager Bazoumana Toure scored the winner for a final 3–2.

Thus, Ivory Coast and Cameroon both finished with seven points and a goal difference of plus two, but Ivory Coast scored five goals while Cameroon scored four. As a result, the Elephants advance to the round of 16 from first place, with the Indomitable Lions going through from second. As for Mozambique, the Mambas will also reach the last 16 as one of the four best third-placed teams. Gabon, along with Botswana and Equatorial Guinea, are among the three teams to finish the tournament without a single point.

AFCON 2025 - GROUP STAGE

3rd round

Monday

Angola - Egypt 0-0

Zimbabwe - South Africa 2-3 (1-1)

/Maswanhise 19, Modiba 73 og - Moremi 7, Foster 50, Appollis 82 pen/

Comoros - Mali 0-0

Zambia - Morocco 0-3 (0-2)

/El Kaabi 9, 50, Diaz 27/

Tuesday

Tanzania - Tunisia 1-1 (0-1)

/Salum 48 - Gharbi 43 pen/

Uganda - Nigeria 1-3 (0-1)

/Mato 75 - Onuachu 28, Onyedika 62, 67/

Benin - Senegal 0-3 (0-1)

/Seck 38, Diallo 62, Ndiaye C. 90+7 pen/

Botswana - DR Congo 0-3 (0-2)

/Mbuku 31, Kakuta 41 pen, 60/

Wednesday

Equatorial Guinea - Algeria 1-3 (0-3)

/Nsue 50 - Belaid 19, Chaibi 25, Maza 32/

Sudan - Burkina Faso 0-2 (0-1)

/Traore 16, Kouassi 85/

Gabon - Ivory Coast 2-3 (1-2)

/Kanga 11, Bouanga 21 - Krasso 44, Guessand 84, Traore 90+1/

Mozambique - Cameroon 1-2 (1-1)

/Catamo 23 - Nene 28 (og), Kofane 55/