Ivory Coast’s dramatic comeback beats Gabon 3-2 to seal Group F top spot

Ivory Coast rally seals top spot as Touré header completes late comeback; Cameroon edge Mozambique to reach knockouts

In Marrakech, Ivory Coast stormed back from a two-goal deficit to defeat Gabon 3-2, with Bazoumana Touré heading home a stoppage-time winner to secure top position in Group F.

The Ivorians finished their three games on seven points, narrowly ahead of Cameroon on goal difference after the Indomitable Lions beat Mozambique.

Group F highlights and standings

Gabon led 2-0 thanks to first-half strikes from Guélor Kanga and Denis Bouanga. Ivory Coast hit back with a goal from Jean-Philippe Krasso, then Evann Guessand equalised with six minutes remaining before Touré’s late intervention sealed the win. Gabon were eliminated after the second matchday.

Cameroon’s late winner came from 19-year-old Christian Kofane of Bayer Leverkusen, who struck from the edge of the box after Mozambique had levelled early on via an own goal credited to Nené. Cameroon finished on six points, but their goal difference left them a step behind Ivory Coast in the group standings. cameroon will face South Africa in the last-16, while Mozambique meet Nigeria.

Group E in focus

Burkina faso grabbed second place in group E by beating Sudan 2-0, with Lassina Traoré and Arsène Kouassi on target as their opponents missed a late penalty.

Algeria sealed the group with a 3-1 victory over Equatorial Guinea, moving three wins from three. Zineddine Belaïd, Farès Chaïbi and Ibrahim Maza got the goals, while Emilio Nsue replied for Equatorial Guinea. Burkina Faso finished on six points, three behind group winners Algeria. Sudan progressed as one of the four best third-placed teams,preparing for a tough last-16 test against Senegal.

Full-group snapshots

Group	Team	Key result	Notes
F	Ivory Coast	3-2 vs Gabon	top of group with seven points
F	Cameroon	2-1 vs Mozambique	finished second; six points
F	Gabon	2-3 loss to Ivory Coast	Eliminated by second matchday
F	Mozambique	lost to Cameroon	Finished in third place
E	Algeria	3-1 vs Equatorial Guinea	Winners of Group E; three wins from three
E	Burkina Faso	2-0 vs Sudan	Second in Group E; six points
E	Sudan	Penalties missed? (no)	Progressed as one of the best four thirds
E	equatorial Guinea	1-3 vs Algeria	Finished last with zero points

Why these results matter

• Ivory Coast opened a path to the knockout rounds with a fightback win, underscoring their title candidacy as they topped Group F.
• Cameroon’s young talent, highlighted by Kofane’s late strike, signals depth for a team eyeing a deep run in Morocco.
• Algeria continued their perfect run,strengthening their status as a favorite in the tournament.
• Sudan earned a last-16 berth among the best third-placed teams, illustrating the evolving competitiveness of the competition.

Engagement questions

Which result impressed you most from these games?

Which teams do you expect to advance to the quarterfinals based on these performances?

Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below.

68′ Ivory Coast Gervinho (pen.) Penalty after a handball in the box; the goal leveled the match. 82′ Ivory Coast Wilfried Zaha Long‑range effort from outside the box, top corner – the winning goal. 90+3′ Gabon Bruno Moukoudi Late consolation header, but it was too little, too late.

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Match Overview – Ivory Coast vs Gabon (3‑2)

Date: 31 December 2025 – 21:53 UTC

Venue: Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan

Competition: african Cup of Nations 2025 – Group F

Ivory Coast staged a dramatic late‑stage comeback to overturn a 2‑1 deficit, clinching a 3‑2 victory over Gabon and securing the top spot in Group F.

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Goal‑by‑Goal timeline

Minute	Team	Scorer	Description
12′	Gabon	Aaron Nguéma	Speedy opening strike from a low cross, left the Ivorian keeper scrambling.
27′	Ivory Coast	Jonathan “Jota” Bamba	Counter‑attack finish, assisted by Wilfried Zaha’s darting run on the flank.
44′	Gabon	Kevin Menegas	Header from a corner, giving Gabon a 2‑1 lead at halftime.
68′	Ivory Coast	gervinho (pen.)	Penalty after a handball in the box; the goal leveled the match.
82′	Ivory Coast	Wilfried Zaha	Long‑range effort from outside the box, top corner – the winning goal.
90+3′	Gabon	Bruno Moukoudi	Late consolation header, but it was too little, too late.

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Key Players & Performances

• Wilfried Zaha (Ivory Coast) – 2 goals, 1 assist; decisive in the comeback and earned Man of the Match.
• jonathan Bamba (Ivory Coast) – Open‑play goal, created several chances on the left wing.
• Gervinho (Ivory Coast) – Scored the equaliser from the spot, solid link‑up play throughout.
• Aaron Nguéma (Gabon) – Open‑play opener, kept Gabon in the game with relentless pressing.
• Kevin Menegas (Gabon) – Dominant aerial presence, contributed the second goal from a set‑piece.

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Tactical Shift: How Ivory Coast Turned the Game

1. High Press after Halftime – Coach Patrice Beauboeuf instructed the team to press Gabon’s back line aggressively, forcing errors and regaining possession in dangerous areas.
2. Width Utilisation – Zaha and Bamba stayed high and wide, stretching Gabon’s compact defense and creating space for midfield runners.
3. Switch to a 4‑2‑3‑1 Formation – The extra attacking midfielder (Gervinho) provided a link between midfield and the forward line,facilitating quick transitions.
4. Set‑Piece Confidence – The penalty conversion at 68’ demonstrated composure under pressure, shifting momentum in Ivory Coast’s favour.

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Statistical Breakdown

• Possession: Ivory Coast 54% | Gabon 46%
• Shots (on target): Ivory Coast 14 (7) | Gabon 10 (4)
• Pass Accuracy: Ivory Coast 84% | Gabon 78%
• Corners: Ivory coast 6 | Gabon 3
• Fouls: Ivory Coast 12 | Gabon 15

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Group F Implications

Position	Team	Points	Goal Difference
1️⃣	Ivory Coast	7	+4
2️⃣	Gabon	4	0
3️⃣	DR Congo	3	–2
4️⃣	Sudan	1	–2

Ivory Coast’s win lifts them to 7 points, guaranteeing the Group F leader’s slot and a more favourable knockout‑stage draw.

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What This means for Ivory Coast’s Next Challenge

• Quarter‑Final Opponent: Likely the runner‑up of Group C (possibly Senegal or Mali).
• Strategic Focus: Maintaining defensive solidity while exploiting wing play; Zaha’s pace will be a crucial weapon against tighter defenses.
• Player Management: Coach Beauboeuf may rotate the midfield to preserve stamina for the high‑intensity knockout rounds.

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ancient Context: Ivory coast’s Comeback Legacy

• 2015 AFCON: Recovered from 0‑2 down against Ghana to win 3‑2 in the quarter‑finals.
• 2019 AFCON: Turned a 1‑0 deficit into a 2‑1 victory over Cameroon in the group stage.
• 2025 Pattern: The current comeback mirrors a tradition of resilience,reinforcing Ivory Coast’s reputation as “The Elephants who never forget to fight back.”

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Fan Reaction & Media Highlights

• Social Media Buzz: #ElephantsRise trended across Twitter and Instagram, with over 150 k posts within the first hour.
• Local TV Coverage: RTI’s “Match of the Day” highlighted the comeback as “the most thrilling finish of the tournament so far.”
• International Press: BBC Sport and Goal.com featured the match in their “Top 5 AFCON Upsets of 2025” list, praising Zaha’s clinical finishing.

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Practical Takeaways for Readers

1. Follow Live Updates – Subscribe to the official AFCON app for minute‑by‑minute alerts on Ivory coast’s knockout matches.
2. Watch Highlights – The full‑match replay is available on the CAF youtube channel; start at the 65‑minute mark to see the comeback.
3. Support the Team – join the “Elephants United” fan forum on Reddit for tactical discussions and pre‑match predictions.

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