Cameroon’s Bryan Mbeumo (proper) controls possession towards Ivory Coast’s Christ Inao Oulai through the match at Marrakesh Stadium. Photograph: AFP
MARRAKECH:
Defending champions Ivory Coast took a lead that lasted solely 5 minutes earlier than Cameroon equalised to safe a 1-1 draw of their heavyweight conflict on the Africa Cup of Nations finals on Sunday.
Amad Diallo scored for a second successive sport to open the scoring for the Ivorians within the 51st minute however full again Junior Tchamadeu levelled for Cameroon with the assistance of a deflection within the 56th minute on the Grande Stade Marrakech.
The international locations, who’ve eight Cup of Nations titles between them, now share the lead in Group F with 4 factors apiece, adopted by Mozambique on three.
Gabon, misplaced 3-2 earlier on Sunday to Mozambique in Agadir, had been eradicated on account of the attract Marrakech.
Diallo, who scored for the Ivorians once they beat Mozambique 1-0 in a profitable begin to their title defence, was heading in the right direction once more with a surprising curled effort after an extended ball out of defence had picked him out on the best of the Ivorian assault. He minimize inside and completely bent the ball together with his left foot into the far nook.
“I’m going to attempt to give my greatest on this competitors. I’ll by no means quit,” stated Diallo after being named man of the match for a second time in as many video games.
The purpose got here three minutes after Ivorian skipper Frank Kessie had bundled the ball into the web however was narrowly offside and had his effort chalked off.
Cameroon instantly went down the opposite finish and a shot from Danny Namaso was deflected onto the crossbar.
Cameroon benefited from one other deflection for his or her purpose as Tchamadeu’s shot struck defender Ghislain Konan and spun up viciously, looping over goalkeeper Yahia Fofana and into the web.
The much-anticipated conflict was filled with high-tempo motion however many missed probabilities, notably from Ivory Coast striker Vakoun Bayo who had been included within the beginning line-up instead of Wilfried Zaha.
Cameroon handed a debut to Christian Kofane, the 19-year-old who has made a powerful impression in his first season at Bayer Leverkusen and who had turned down call-ups from Cameroon for World Cup qualifiers in current months.
Croatian soccer participant Luka Modric additionally has a minority stake, becoming a member of in April.
Algeria into final 16
Riyad Mahrez scored a primary half penalty as Algeria sealed their place within the knockout rounds of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso of their Group E conflict in Rabat on Sunday.
Algeria have six factors and can win the group as they can’t be overhauled by both Burkina Faso (3 factors) or Sudan (3) following the third spherical of fixtures within the pool because of the head-to-head rule.
The Burkinabe meet Sudan of their remaining conflict on Wednesday, whereas Algeria tackle backside facet Equatorial Guinea, who’re eradicated.
Algeria had been awarded a penalty simply previous the 20-minute mark when Rayan Ait Nouri was felled within the field by Ismahila Ouedraogo, and Mahrez made no mistake as he despatched Herve Koffi within the Burkina Faso purpose the mistaken manner.
Mahrez prolonged his document as Algeria’s all-time main scorer on the Cup of Nations together with his ninth purpose and can also be the main scorer on this version up to now having netted twice within the opening 3-0 win over Sudan.
The Burkinabe got here near an equaliser simply earlier than halftime when Pierre Kabore’s close-range header got here again off the put up and Algeria had been capable of scramble the ball to security.
Koffi was busy within the Burkina Faso purpose and saved from Mohamed Amoura, earlier than Ibrahim Maza compelled one other good cease after which scuffed a shot vast of the goal.
Luca Zidane, son of France nice Zinedine, confirmed good reactions to maintain out a Lassina Traore header late on as Burkina Faso got here near an equaliser.
Teams A and B conclude on Monday, and by Wednesday, the sphere for the final 16 can be settled. The knockout matches start subsequent weekend.
