Defending champions Ivory Coast and five-time winners Cameroon are set for a high-stakes showdown in Marrakesh on Sunday, December 28, as both sides aim to extend their winning momentum at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
A win for either of these continental giants will punch their ticket to the knockout rounds, raising the stakes even higher for this pivotal encounter.
Ivory Coast enters the clash tied atop Group F with three points, having launched their title defense with a hard-fought 1–0 win over Mozambique on December 24. Manchester United’s Amad Diallo delivered the decisive second-half goal, sealing a composed yet slender victory for the Elephants in Marrakech.
Under Emerse Fae’s guidance, Ivory Coast has stuck to the disciplined, possession-driven style that powered their 2023 AFCON triumph. Against Mozambique, their defense stood firm, rarely allowing clear chances, while midfield maestros Franck Kessie and Ibrahim Sangare controlled the rhythm for much of the match.
This latest win adds to Ivory Coast’s impressive streak: four victories, a draw, and just one defeat in their last six competitive outings. They have netted 13 goals and conceded only once, highlighted by emphatic World Cup qualifying triumphs over Kenya and Seychelles, as well as a resilient draw in Gabon.
As reigning champions, the Ivory Coast are chasing history, hoping to become the first team since Egypt in 2010 to retain the AFCON crown. Sunday’s clash is seen as their sternest Group F test and could ultimately decide who claims the top spot.
History shows these encounters are fiercely competitive, with Ivory Coast narrowly ahead: 10 wins, two draws, and nine losses in 21 meetings. The Elephants are unbeaten in their last five showdowns, boasting three wins and a draw in that stretch.
Cameroon brushed aside off-field distractions to make an early statement against Gabon. Bryan Mbeumo threaded a perfect pass to Karl Etta Eyong, who finished clinically for his first senior international goal, confirmed by VAR and clocked as the second-fastest in Cameroon’s AFCON history.
Despite a rocky lead-up to the tournament, Cameroon showed grit and discipline under coach David Pagou. Their compact defense and patient attack stifled Gabon, with Mbeumo once again orchestrating the key assist.
The win offered a much-needed boost after a patchy run, with Cameroon’s last six games producing three wins, a draw, and two losses. They have scored six and conceded just two, including standout World Cup qualifying victories over Eswatini and Mauritius, though they suffered a narrow playoff loss to DR Congo in November.
AFCON is Cameroon’s crown jewel, with five titles to its name. Their win over Gabon reinforced their reputation for thriving in tense, low-scoring matches where tactical savvy makes all the difference.
With both teams locked on three points, Sunday’s showdown could tip the scales in Group F. A win would give either side a firm grip on qualification, while a draw would keep the group’s fate hanging in the balance.
