AFCON 2025: Cameroon, Ivory Coast Settle For Thrilling Stalemate In Group F Showdown
2 min read
By Sedara Philip
African football heavyweights Cameroon and Ivory Coast played out an entertaining 1–1 draw on Sunday night, bringing Group F action at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco to a captivating close.
The fiercely contested encounter saw moments of individual brilliance, flashes of attacking intent, and resilient defending as both sides walked away with a point apiece.
The result leaves Cameroon and Ivory Coast level at the summit of Group F on four points each, with qualification still firmly in their grasp.
The opening half was largely cautious, with both teams wary of conceding early. However, despite the measured approach, chances still arrived at both ends.
Ivory Coast came close to taking a shock early lead inside two minutes when Ghislain Konan’s teasing cross evaded everyone and crashed against the crossbar, leaving Cameroonian goalkeeper Devis Epassy beaten.
Cameroon responded with a near-identical warning of their own as Christian Kofane met a dangerous cross from right-back Junior Tchamadeu, only to see his effort strike the woodwork, ensuring the teams went into halftime scoreless but far from short of drama.
The game burst into life after the restart. Moments after Cameroon’s Danny Namaso saw a deflected effort clip the crossbar, Ivory Coast struck decisively. Konan initiated the move with a fine switch of play to Amad Diallo on the right flank.
The Manchester United winger showed his class by cutting inside onto his favored foot and curling a sublime effort beyond Epassy to give the Elephants a deserved 1–0 lead.
Cameroon wasted little time in responding. Less than five minutes later, Junior Tchamadeu ventured forward and unleashed a hopeful strike that took a decisive deflection off Konan.
The ball looped awkwardly over Ivorian goalkeeper Yahia Fofana, who managed a touch but could not prevent it from crossing the line, restoring parity and reigniting the contest.
With the scores level after the hour mark, both sides pushed for a winner but gradually began to cancel each other out. Tactical discipline took precedence over risk-taking, and while half-chances emerged, neither team could find a breakthrough as the match settled into a tense but controlled finale.
Attention now turns to the final group fixtures.
Ivory Coast will look to secure top spot in Group F when they face a desperate Gabon side on Wednesday, with Gabon yet to register a point in the tournament. Cameroon, also on four points, will square off against Mozambique, who boosted their hopes earlier on Sunday with a victory over Gabon.
With qualification still on the line, Group F promises more drama as the race to the knockout stage reaches its climax.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
