Oumar Diakite (L) and Yan Diomande have fun in Marrakesh after Ivory Coast topped Group F on the Africa Cup of Nations. Picture: AFP
AGADIR:
Substitute Bazoumana Toure scored in stoppage time for Ivory Coast who got here from two objectives all the way down to beat Gabon 3-2 in Marrakesh on Wednesday and prime Group F on the Africa Cup of Nations.
Cameroon additionally fell behind, in opposition to Mozambique in Agadir, however a thunderbolt from Christian Kofane delivered a 2-1 victory.
Defending champions Ivory Coast and Cameroon completed stage on seven factors and each had a plus two aim distinction. The Ivorians topped the desk as a result of they scored 5 objectives and Cameroon 4.
The outcomes accomplished the final 16 line-up. Ivory Coast will face Burkina Faso, Cameroon meet South Africa and Mozambique will play Nigeria.
In central metropolis Marrakesh, Gabon rocked Ivory Coast by constructing a two-goal lead halfway by way of the primary half earlier than the title-holders minimize the deficit simply earlier than the break to path 2-1 at half-time.
Guelor Kanga struck after 11 minutes for the Gabonese Panthers, whose greatest identified footballer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had returned to France for remedy of a thigh damage.
The 2015 African participant of the 12 months scored in a 3-2 loss to Mozambique three days in the past that eradicated Gabon from the race to be among the many 16 qualifiers for the knockout stage.
Ivory Coast fell additional behind on 21 minutes when Los Angeles-based Denis Bouanga claimed his first aim of the event.
Ivorian Jean-Philippe Krasso netted on 44 minutes after being arrange by Wilfried Zaha, the previous Crystal Palace winger recalled for the AFCON after lacking the triumphant 2024 marketing campaign.
Tightrope
The defending champions took off captain Franck Kessie and Zaha midway by way of the second half, however Amad Diallo, who scored within the first two group matches, remained on the bench.
Manchester United winger Diallo was lastly launched on 76 minutes, changing Oumar Diakiate, who was strolling a disciplinary tightrope having been yellow-carded.
It was one other substitute, Evann Guessand, who equalised with six minutes of normal time left. The Aston Villa striker was a late inclusion within the squad when injured Sebastien Haller withdrew.
Then Toure struck for a dramatic victory by the three-time champions. They’re hoping to develop into the primary nation to efficiently defend the title since Egypt in 2010.
In southern coastal metropolis Agadir, Cameroon legends Roger Milla and Samuel Eto’o have been among the many crowd that noticed Mozambique take a shock lead on 23 minutes.
Geny Catamo from main Portuguese membership Sporting unleashed a low shot that bounced in entrance of goalkeeper Devis Epassy and flew simply contained in the left submit.
The lead lasted 5 minutes earlier than five-time champions Cameroon levelled when Feliciano ‘Nene’ Jone conceded an personal aim.
Dealing with two unmarked Cameroonian attackers, goalkeeper Ivane Urrubal blocked the ball, which ran unfastened to Frank Magri.
Magri hit the submit and Nene, making an attempt to clear, managed solely to steer the ball into the Mozambican internet.
Cameroon had the ball within the internet once more 10 minutes later however the scorer, Germany-based 19-year-old Kofane, was dominated offside.
The teenager made up for his disappointment by placing the Indomitable Lions forward on 55 minutes with a fierce shot from exterior the field that flew into the web off the underside of the crossbar.
