Africa Cup of Nations title holders Ivory Coast staged another remarkable rescue act, overturning a two-goal deficit to defeat Gabon and secure first place in Group F on goals scored, edging out Cameroon in the process.
Africa Cup of Nations title holders Ivory Coast staged another remarkable rescue act, overturning a two-goal deficit to defeat Gabon and secure first place in Group F on goals scored, edging out Cameroon in the process.
Emerse Fae’s side looked in deep trouble after falling behind twice within 21 minutes, with Guelor Kanga firing in a rebound to give Gabon the lead and Denis Bouanga curling in a superb first-time effort soon after. The Elephants were staring at a damaging outcome until Jean-Philippe Krasso steered in Wilfried Zaha’s delivery moments before the interval to halve the deficit.
Despite needing momentum, the Ivorians struggled to build sustained pressure after halftime. However, second-half introductions — including Manchester United’s Amad and Aston Villa forward Evann Guessand — shifted the rhythm. Guessand met a corner with a determined header six minutes from the end to level the score, setting up a dramatic climax.
The turnaround was sealed in stoppage time when Bazoumana Toure dived to meet Christopher Operi’s cross, sending the ball into the net and sparking jubilant scenes. There was almost further reward, but Yan Diomande’s late strike on the counter was cancelled by VAR for an offside infringement.
Before the late revival, Cameroon’s 2-1 triumph over Mozambique had positioned them to finish top of the group by two points. Ivory Coast’s rapid shift in fortunes not only preserved first place but also significantly altered their route in the knockout rounds.
The Elephants now face Burkina Faso in Marrakesh on Tuesday, 6 January, at 19:00 GMT. That victory ensures they avoid a far trickier bracket featuring Morocco, Algeria, Nigeria, and South Africa — a scenario they had been on course for until the match swung.
Nonetheless, the challenge remains steep. Ivory Coast joins a demanding half of the draw alongside seven-time champions Egypt and 2021 winners Senegal at a finals in which the dozen highest-ranked nations have all advanced into the last 16.
This performance brought back memories of the team’s dramatic 2023 tournament triumph on home soil, where late rallies and emotional swings defined their campaign. Once again, resilience, substitutions, and decisive moments under pressure kept their title defence alive.
With momentum restored and knockout football ahead, Fae’s men will be hoping this latest escape sparks a run similar to last year’s unforgettable journey.
