Quick Read
- Gabon shocked Ivory Coast with an early lead in the AFCON 2025 Group F finale.
- Ivory Coast needed just one point to secure knockout stage qualification.
- Gabon’s win was not enough to advance, as Mozambique’s draw sealed their elimination.
In the high-stakes final match of AFCON 2025 Group F, Gabon faced defending champions Ivory Coast in Marrakech. With both teams’ fortunes hanging in the balance, the match delivered a spectacle loaded with tension, surprises, and tactical gambits that kept fans and pundits alike on edge.
Ivory Coast entered the evening as group leaders, needing only a point to guarantee a place in the knockout rounds, as Bolavip reported. Gabon, already eliminated barring a miracle combination of results, played for pride – and perhaps a bit of revenge, having missed World Cup qualification by just a point to the Elephants.
From the opening whistle, Ivory Coast showed intent, stringing together slick passes and probing Gabon’s defense. But football, as ever, is a game of moments. Against the run of play, Gabon struck first: after a spell of Ivorian pressure, Denis Bouanga broke away, held up the ball for Guelor Kanga, who finished the move with a sharp rebound, leaving the Ivorian keeper Albon Lafont scrambling. Gabon’s yellow-and-blue kits flashed with renewed hope, as the underdogs took an early 1-0 lead.
Ivory Coast responded with urgency. Diakite, looking the most dangerous in white, blasted a shot off the post, while Wilfried Zaha and Oulai pressed forward, seeking an equalizer. Yet Gabon’s defense, anchored by Jeremy Oyono and veteran Bruno Ecuélé Manga (celebrating his 115th cap, as Goal.com highlighted), absorbed wave after wave of attacks. The physicality escalated, with Didier Ndong earning a yellow for a clumsy foul just outside the area.
The match’s pivotal moment came midway through the first half. Gabon doubled their lead with a brilliant finish from Bouanga, steering Poko’s deflected cross into the far corner. The Ivorian defense was in disarray, and for a moment, the impossible seemed within reach for Gabon.
But football narratives rarely follow a straight line. Ivory Coast regrouped, adjusting their tactics under manager Emerse Fae. Resting key players like Amad Diallo, Ibrahim Sangare, and Seko Fofana (with a knockout spot already guaranteed), Fae’s changes were intended to freshen legs, but the team struggled for cohesion. The pressure mounted, and Gabon sat back, inviting the Elephants to break them down. The match became a test of patience and nerve.
Meanwhile, in the other Group F clash, Mozambique and Cameroon fought to a draw, further complicating the group’s standings. As it stood, Mozambique’s result meant Gabon’s fate was not entirely in their hands—a win for Mozambique or even a draw would end Gabon’s tournament, regardless of their own heroics.
As the clock ticked, Ivory Coast pushed forward relentlessly. Kessie and Diomande orchestrated attacks from midfield, while Zaha threatened on the flank. Yet Gabon’s goalkeeper Bekale proved equal to the task, making crucial saves and commanding his area with authority. On the rare occasion he faltered, Gabon’s defense scrambled to clear the danger.
The final whistle brought mixed emotions. Gabon, already out of the tournament, left the pitch with heads held high, having played a spirited match and stunned the group leaders. For Ivory Coast, despite a nervy performance and defensive lapses, the result was enough: their journey in AFCON 2025 continues, with a knockout round berth secured.
The game’s significance extended beyond the pitch. Fans worldwide tuned in through broadcasters like SuperSport, beIN SPORTS, and Channel 4, as Goal.com detailed. Viewers in the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, and beyond followed every twist via TV and streaming platforms, some resorting to VPNs to bypass geo-restrictions and catch every minute of the drama.
For Gabon, the absence of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (who left Afcon early due to injury) was keenly felt, but the team showed resilience and heart. For Ivory Coast, the night was a reminder that even champions can be rattled, and that every match in the group stage carries its own risks and revelations.
Looking ahead, Ivory Coast faces a winnable last-16 tie, but the road to a repeat championship will likely pit them against continental heavyweights like Egypt or Morocco. Gabon’s campaign ends in disappointment, but with flashes of promise that suggest a brighter future.
The Gabon vs Ivory Coast encounter wasn’t just about points or progression—it was a microcosm of AFCON’s enduring drama. Gabon’s early surge, Ivory Coast’s gritty response, and the larger group implications reminded fans why this tournament remains Africa’s premier football stage. The result reinforces the need for tactical flexibility and emotional resilience in pursuit of continental glory.
Sources: The Guardian, Bolavip, Goal.com