Algeria booked their place in the Round of 16 of the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after captain Riyad Mahrez’s penalty secured a 1–0 victory over Burkina Faso, while Mozambique made history with their first-ever finals win.
Elsewhere, defending champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon shared the spoils in an entertaining Group F encounter.
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Cameroon 1–1 Côte d’Ivoire
Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire played out a pulsating 1–1 draw in Marrakesh, leaving both sides level on four points in Group F.
The Ivorians took the lead early in the second half through Amad Diallo, who cut inside from the right and curled a superb left-footed effort past goalkeeper Devis Epassy.
Cameroon responded five minutes later when Junior Tchamadeu’s strike from inside the box deflected off Ghislain Konan to restore parity.
Both teams created chances in a lively contest.
Christian Kofane hit the crossbar for Cameroon in the first half, while a Franck Kessié goal for Côte d’Ivoire was ruled out for offside.
Despite late pressure, neither side could find a winner.
Cameroon will face Mozambique in their final group match, while Côte d’Ivoire take on Gabon on New Year’s Eve.
Algeria 1–0 Burkina Faso
Algeria secured qualification from Group E after Mahrez calmly converted a 23rd-minute penalty to earn a narrow win over Burkina Faso.
The result moved the Desert Foxes to six points from two matches, confirming their place in the knockout stage.
The game was fiercely contested, with Algeria forced into an early substitution after Juan Hadjam was injured.
Burkina Faso pushed for an equaliser, but Algeria defended resolutely, with goalkeeper and backline standing firm.
Vladimir Petković’s side will now face Equatorial Guinea in their final group match, while Burkina Faso battle Sudan for the remaining qualification spot.
Equatorial Guinea 0–1 Sudan
Sudan claimed a crucial 1–0 victory over Equatorial Guinea in Casablanca, reigniting their Group E campaign.
The decisive moment came in the 74th minute when Saúl Coco inadvertently turned a dangerous cross into his own net.
Sudan goalkeeper Monged Abuzaid produced an outstanding performance, marshaling a disciplined defence to secure the team’s first AFCON finals win since 2012.
The victory leaves Group E wide open heading into the final round of matches.
Gabon 2–3 Mozambique
Mozambique made history by recording their first-ever win at the AFCON finals, edging Gabon 3–2 in a thrilling Group F clash.
Faizal Bangal opened the scoring before Geny Catamo converted a penalty to give the Mambas a two-goal lead.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pulled one back for Gabon in first-half stoppage time, but Diogo Calila restored Mozambique’s advantage early in the second half.
Gabon reduced the deficit late on through Alex
Moucketou-Moussounda, but Mozambique held firm to seal a landmark victory and end a long wait for continental success.
What’s Next
Attention now turns to the decisive final round of group matches on New Year’s Eve, with qualification places still up for grabs across Groups E and F as the race to reach the Round of 16 intensifies at AFCON 2025 in Morocco.
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