It was a clash between two continental heavyweights as it lived up to its hype with both goals coming early in a dramatic second half. The first ha
It was a clash between two continental heavyweights as it lived up to its hype with both goals coming early in a dramatic second half.
The first half was a tightly contested affair, with neither side able to break the deadlock.
Both teams had their chances, with Cameroon’s Christian Kofane hitting the crossbar in the 21st minute and Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo forcing a save shortly after.
The match was marked by high intensity and physicality, with several fouls committed by both sides, reflecting the high stakes of the encounter.
The game exploded into action after the interval. Ivory Coast’s Franck Kessié had a goal disallowed for offside just after the restart before Amad Diallo scored a stunning opener in the 51st minute.
The Manchester United winger collected a long pass and expertly curled a shot into the far corner from the edge of the box.
However, the defending champions’ lead was short-lived, as Cameroon responded just five minutes later.
In the 56th minute, Cameroon’s Junior Tchamadeu levelled the score. His shot from the right side of the box took a wicked deflection off Ivorian defender Ghislain Konan, looping over the goalkeeper and into the net for a fortunate own goal.
Both teams pushed for a winner in the closing stages, with chances falling to Bryan Mbeumo and Issouf Bayo, but neither could find the decisive goal, resulting in the points being shared.
In the other game of the group, Mozambique defeated Gabon in a feisty contest in Agadir. Faisal Bangal opened the scoring for the Mambas in the 37th minute. Gabon’s skipper, Bruno Ecuele Manga, committed school boys foul, which led to Mozambique being awarded a penalty. Sporting Lisbon’s Catamo calmly slotted the ball home to put Mozambique 2-0 ahead. The evergreen Aubamenyang pulled one back for the Panthers of Gabon with five minutes into the extra time.
After the break, Diogo Calila made it 3-1 to put Gabon in a tight corner. Moucketou-Moussounda in the 76th minute reduced the deficit for Gabon, with the Panthers hoping for a final drama.
Mozambique held on to their lead and made history as Chiquinho Conde became the first-ever manager to win a game at the AFCON for the Mambas in six tournaments.
Cameroon will face Mozambique as Ivory Coast will meet Gabon in the final games of the group. Everything is at stake for the four teams, albeit Gabon’s chances are slim to book a knockout stage slot.
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