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Elephants, Indomitable Lions play out draw

28 December 2025 22:00| © Backpage TXT
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Reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions Ivory Coast and fellow heavyweights Cameroon played out a 1-1 draw in their Group F clash at the Marrakesh Stadium on Sunday night.

Respective goals from Amad Diallo and Junior Tchamadeu early in the second half saw the Elephants and Indomitable Lions share the spoils, and they sit level on four points each atop Group F.

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Ivory Coast started strongly and had the first shot in anger in the seventh minute via Amad Diallo, who whipped an effort from the edge of the box just off target.

However, Cameroon soon found a foothold in the game and they were inches away from breaking the deadlock in the 21st minute as Samuel Kotto’s low cross picked out Christian Kofane, but his shot on goal was tipped onto the crossbar by goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.

The Elephants had a great chance of their own to claim the lead late in the first half, with Diallo’s cross picking out Vakoun Bayo, but the striker put his header over the target to leave the game goalless at the break.

The teams created great chances early in the second half, including Franck Kessie having a goal ruled out for offside, and Danny Namaso hitting the crossbar at the other end with a deflected effort.

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Ivory Coast then claimed the lead in the 51st minute, as Diallo drove forward from a counter attack and provided a superb finish from just outside the penalty area which gave goalkeeper Devis Epassy no chance.

Yet Cameroon restored parity just five minutes later: Junior Tchamadeu tried an ambitious shot from wide right in the penalty area and the ball deflected up off Ghislain Konan just enough to loop over the hands of Yahia Fofana and find the back of the net for 1-1.

The Indomitable Lions were close to a second goal in the 78th minute when Bryan Mbeumo went for glory from a free kick just outside the penalty area, but his shot flashed just wide of the mark – the last notable goal-mouth action of the match.

The teams will conclude their Group F campaigns on Wednesday 31 December.

Ivory Coast will face Gabon in Marrakesh, while Cameroon will take on Mozambique in Agadir.

Ivory Coast (0) 1 (Diallo 51’)

Cameroon (0) 1 (Tchamadeu/Konan og 56’)

Ivory Coast: Y. Fofana, G. Doue, O. Kossounou, E. Ndicka, G. Konan, F. Kessie, S. Fofana (C. Inao Oulai 70’), I. Sangare (J. Gbamin 61’), Y. Diomande, V. Bayo (E. Guessand 70’), A. Diallo (W. Zaha 87’)

Cameroon: D. Epassy, C. Malone Junior, S. Kotto, T. Nouhou, J. Tchamadeu (C. Bassogog 80’), D. Namaso (O. Kemen 74’), C. Baleba, A. Avom (E. Boyomo 90+1’), D. Yongwa, B. Mbeumo, C. Kofane (K. Etta Eyong 73’)

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