Sports
AFCON 2025 Matchday 4: Cameroon Make History, Côte d’Ivoire Open Title Defence with Win, Burkina Faso Pull Off Dramatic Comeback
The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 delivered drama, history and late heroics on Matchday 4 as Cameroon recorded a landmark victory, defending champions Côte d’Ivoire began their title defence with a narrow win, Algeria cruised past Sudan, and Burkina Faso staged an unforgettable stoppage-time comeback against Equatorial Guinea.
Cameroon 1–0 Gabon: Indomitable Lions Claim Historic Victory
Cameroon began their AFCON 2025 campaign in memorable fashion, securing their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations victory over Gabon with a hard-fought 1–0 win in Agadir.
Karl Etta Eyong’s early strike proved decisive, as the forward calmly slotted home in the sixth minute after Bryan Mbeumo capitalised on a defensive error and provided the assist. The goal stunned Gabon and set the tone for a disciplined Cameroonian display.
Despite Gabon introducing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mario Lemina before half-time, Cameroon remained organised and resilient. Devis Epassy made crucial saves late on, while Frank Magri struck the crossbar on the counterattack as the Indomitable Lions held firm.
The victory places Cameroon level with Côte d’Ivoire at the top of Group F, sending a strong message to their rivals.
Côte d’Ivoire 1–0 Mozambique: Champions Start Title Defence with Control
Defending champions Côte d’Ivoire opened their AFCON 2025 title defence with a composed 1–0 victory over a resilient Mozambique side at the Marrakech Stadium.
After dominating possession in the first half without reward, the breakthrough arrived four minutes after the restart. Franck Kessié’s header fell kindly to Amad Diallo, who showed excellent composure to guide a low finish into the net.
The Elephants managed the remainder of the match professionally, keeping a clean sheet and limiting Mozambique’s attacking threat. While the scoreline remained narrow, the result was enough to secure top spot in Group F after the opening round.
Algeria 3–0 Sudan: Mahrez Leads Fennecs to Commanding Win
Algeria made an emphatic start to their AFCON 2025 campaign with a 3–0 victory over Sudan in Rabat, underlining their ambitions to reclaim continental glory.
Captain Riyad Mahrez struck twice, opening the scoring inside two minutes before doubling the lead in the second half. Sudan’s task became even more difficult when Salah El-Din Adel was sent off just before the break.
Substitute Ibrahim Maza added a late third to complete a dominant performance, sending Algeria top of Group E, level on points with Burkina Faso.
Burkina Faso 2–1 Equatorial Guinea: Late Revival Shocks Ten-Man Opponents
Burkina Faso produced one of the most dramatic moments of AFCON 2025 so far, scoring two goals deep into stoppage time to overturn a late deficit and defeat Equatorial Guinea 2–1 in Casablanca.
Despite Equatorial Guinea being reduced to ten men early in the second half, it was they who struck first through substitute Marvin Aniebo in the 85th minute. Just as defeat loomed, Burkina Faso responded with extraordinary determination.
Substitute György Menongo equalised in the fifth minute of added time before defender Edmond Tapsoba powered home the winner three minutes later, completing a stunning turnaround that sent the Stallions top of Group E.
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