Ivory Coast top Africa Cup of Nations group ahead of Cameroon, Algeria win again

RABAT – Ivory Coast showed “resilience” and the “ability to react” as the reigning champions came from two goals down to pip Cameroon to top spot in their group, after Algeria maintained their perfect record as the first round of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) concluded on Dec 31.

The Ivorians and the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon came into their last Group F matches with identical records, leaving open the possibility that a drawing of lots would be required to determine their final positions.

But in the end, the Ivorians topped Group F on goals scored after coming from two goals down to beat the already eliminated Gabon 3-2, while Cameroon defeated Mozambique 2-1.

Said Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae: “I have confidence in the whole team, that’s why I changed 10 players... I only take positives from all the performances...

“Even after conceding the equaliser, we never panicked. This victory is important to validate the work done... We still have some adjustments to make, especially in defence, but the team has shown its resilience and its ability to react.”

Both sides finished on seven points, with Mozambique on three points and Gabon on zero. Mozambique go through as one of the four best third-placed sides.

Ivory Coast found themselves two goals behind after just 21 minutes in Marrakesh after changing 10 players from their previous match, with Guelor Kanga pouncing on a handling error by goalkeeper Alban Lafont to put Gabon in front.

Los Angeles FC marksman Denis Bouanga then fired in Gabon’s second, leaving Fae’s team up against it.

However, Wilfried Zaha squared for Jean-Philippe Krasso to pull one back just before the interval and Aston Villa’s Evann Guessand headed in an 84th-minute equaliser. The stage was then set for youngster Bazoumana Toure to get the winner for the Elephants in injury time.

Looking to become the first nation since Egypt in 2010 to retain the Afcon title, they will now play Burkina Faso in the last 16 in Marrakech on Jan 6.

Meanwhile, Gabon’s government have announced the suspension of the national team, the sacking of the coach and kicked star forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang off the squad in the wake of three defeats in Morocco.

“Given the Panthers’ disgraceful performance at the Africa Cup of Nations, the government has decided to dissolve the coaching staff, suspend the national team until further notice, and exclude players Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang,” said acting sports minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula, after the loss to the Ivorians.

Former African Footballer of the Year Aubameyang, who did not feature on Dec 31 due to a thigh injury, responded on social media, saying on X: “I think the team’s problems are much deeper than the individual I am.”

In Agadir, a great strike by Geny Catamo gave Mozambique the lead midway through the first half but Cameroon were level before the half-hour mark.

Nene somehow turned the ball into his own net after initially managing to deflect Frank Magri’s shot onto the post.

A superb 55th-minute strike by the young Bayer Leverkusen forward Christian Kofane then gave Cameroon the win.

Finishing second in the section means five-time champions Cameroon will play South Africa in the last 16 in Rabat on Jan 4.

Said Cameroon coach David Pagou: “We know South Africa are (a) strong and stubborn opponent. They have (a) competitive domestic league and players who know each other very well, so the match will be complicated.”

Hosts Morocco or outsiders Tanzania will face the winners of that tie in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, Mozambique, who are through to the knockout phase for the first time, will take on Nigeria.

Two-time former champions Algeria completed the group stage with a perfect record, as they beat Equatorial Guinea 3-1 in Rabat to finish with nine points from three games in Group E.

With Algeria already through as group winners and Equatorial Guinea eliminated, nothing was riding on the game in Morocco’s capital.

A much-changed Algeria team were three goals to the good by half-time, with Zineddine Belaid, Fares Chaibi and Ibrahim Maza all on target.

Emilio Nsue, top scorer at the last Cup of Nations, pulled one back for Equatorial Guinea early in the second half.

Algeria play a Democratic Republic of Congo side coach Vladimir Petkovic has called “balanced and dangerous” next.

Burkina Faso, meanwhile, will face Ivory Coast after the Stallions defeated Sudan 2-0 in Casablanca to finish second in the section.

Lassina Traore’s early strike put Burkina Faso ahead before Al-Gozoli Nooh missed a penalty for Sudan.

Arsene Kouassi sealed Burkina Faso’s win late on.

Sudan finish third and have reached the Afcon knockout stages for just the second time since winning the trophy in 1970, despite the backdrop of a devastating war in the country between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

They will play much-fancied Senegal in the last 16 in Tangier on Jan 3.

“It is good for everyone in Sudan and it is also good for the players as it is up to them to prove that they can play against a team like Senegal,” said Sudan coach Kwesi Appiah. “Senegal is a big football country and we will be sure to play a very good game.”

The knockout phase begins on Jan 3. AFP