Ivory Coast and Cameroon played out a gripping 1–1 draw in their Africa Cup of Nations 2025 Group F clash at the Stade de Marrakech on Sunday night, leaving both teams level on four points with one group game to play.  However, Ivory Coast had the advantage early on.

The match featured attacking intent from both sides and delivered moments of quality at each end, with defending champions Ivory Coast taking the lead before Cameroon struck back in dramatic fashion.  

After a tight first half with few clear cut chances, Amad Diallo broke the deadlock early in the second period. The Manchester United winger showed his class by curling home a left-footed finish just past the hour mark to give Ivory Coast the advantage. The Ivory Coast maintained the advantage through his efforts.  

Diallo’s strike was his second goal in as many games at the tournament and came from promising build-up play that unlocked a resilient Cameroon defence.  

Cameroon responded quickly, however, and drew level just minutes later when Junior Tchamadeu’s strike took a wicked deflection off Ivory Coast full-back Ghislain Konan and looped over the goalkeeper into the net.  

The nature of the goal officially recorded as an own goal underscored how evenly matched the two sides were on the night, with Cameroon’s pressure forcing mistakes and keeping the Elephants under sustained threat. Both teams sought to gain the advantage, but it remained tied.  

Both teams had spells of dominance throughout the match, with Cameroon’s Bryan Mbeumo a consistent threat from the wings and Ivory Coast’s midfield orchestrated by players like Franck Kessié  controlling possession at key moments.  

Cameroon’s keeper produced several smart saves, while Ivory Coast had chances of their own denied by last-ditch defending. In the end, neither side could find a winner, leaving Group F wide open heading into the final matchday.  

The draw keeps both Ivory Coast and Cameroon tied on four points at the top of Group F. Mozambique sit just behind on three points after a surprise win elsewhere, meaning the final group fixtures could prove decisive for automatic qualification to the last 16.  

For Ivory Coast, Diallo’s form continues to be a bright spark, while Cameroon will take heart from their resilience and ability to respond on the road. With one round of group games remaining, everything is still to play for in a wide-open AFCON section.