Winning rotation for Ivory Coast. Opposed to Gabon, the 2024 African champions overthrew the Panthers despite a catastrophic start and a deficit of two goals after half an hour of play. A strong success as a result since it offered the Ivorians first place in group C – with the benefit of a greater number of goals scored than Cameroon (5 against 4) – and sent them to the upper part of the table, where Burkina Faso awaits them in the round of 16 (the January 6, 8 p.m.).
Faced with the Gabonese who were already eliminated before the kick-off of this last day, the Elephants started the evening very badly. Largely reworked by Émerse Faé, with ten changes compared to the team held in check by Cameroon last Sunday, the Ivorian eleven appeared totally disorganized on the lawn of Marrakech.
Alban Lafont at fault, Guessand and Touré heroic
Technical waste, defensive wanderings, sterile attack… the title holders went through the first act like ghosts, like Alban Lafont in great difficulty. Launched in place of the usual starter Yahia Fofana, the former FC Nantes goalkeeper spread excitement to his partners. Following an innocuous attempt from Teddy Averlant, the replacement goalkeeper allowed Guelor Kanga to open the scoring from close range by releasing the ball in front of him (1-0, 11th).
Taking advantage of the Ivorian defensive generosity, former Stéphanois Denis Bouanga was quick to double the lead with a beautiful curling shot from the left of the area (2-0, 21st).
After the fire at the start of the match, Jean-Philippe Krasso was responsible for extinguishing the first flames by reducing the gap following good work from Wilfried Zaha (2-1, 44th). The achievement of the Paris FC striker had the merit of waking up his team, authors of a much better second half, without however succeeding in shaking the nets again despite several hot chances.
The decision ended up being made in the money-time via two attackers coming off the bench: Evann Guessand (2-2, 84th) and Bazoumana Touré (2-3, 90th + 1), both headers. Thanks to these final achievements, Côte d’Ivoire therefore avoided the death table, with a round of 16 against South Africa and a potential quarter against Morocco…
Cameroon punished despite its victory
… A program that Cameroon will ultimately inherit. In the other match of the evening, the Indomitable Lions won against Mozambique (2-1). Tied on points with their Ivorian rivals (7) and with the same goal difference (+2), Bryan Mbeumo and his partners were relegated to second place because of their less good attack (4 goals scored against 5).
Surprised by the opening score of the untenable Geny Catamo (1-0, 23rd), the Cameroonians did not panic and were able to turn the tables, first by taking advantage of a completely lunar own goal from Nené under pressure from Mbeumo (1-1, 28th).
Once again in control of the debates after the break, the Lions regained the advantage thanks to the powerful strike of Christian Kofane, author of a first goal at the CAN which he will remember (1-2, 55th).
Enough to allow coach David Pagou to rotate his squad at the end of the match, without his men losing control. A freshness which will undoubtedly be necessary from Sunday against Bafana Bafana during a very indecisive round of 16.
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