Diallo Scores Again as Ivory Coast and Cameroon Battle to Draw in AFCON 2025 Thriller
Manchester United winger Amad Diallo continued his fine form at the Africa Cup of Nations, scoring for defending champions Ivory Coast in a 1–1 draw with Cameroon in Marrakesh.
The result leaves both sides level on four points at the top of Group F, one ahead of Mozambique, who earlier defeated Gabon 3–2 in Agadir.
Diallo, who had netted the winner against Mozambique four days earlier, struck again in the 51st minute with a composed left‑foot finish after latching onto a lofted pass from Ghislain Konan.
His effort gave goalkeeper Devis Epassy no chance and briefly put the Elephants in front. But the lead lasted only five minutes as Junior Tchamadeu’s shot from the edge of the box deflected off Konan, looping over Yahia Fofana to bring Cameroon level.
The clash between two of Africa’s footballing heavyweights lived up to its billing. Ivory Coast captain Franck Kessie had a goal ruled out for offside early in the second half, while Cameroon debutant Christian Kofane rattled the crossbar in the first period.
Danny Namaso also went close twice, including a deflected strike that clipped the woodwork. Diallo remained a constant threat down the right, creating chances for Vakoun Bayo and testing Cameroon’s backline, while Nouhou Tolo produced a superb sliding tackle to deny him just before half‑time.
The rivalry between the Ivorian Elephants and the Cameroonian Indomitable Lions stretches back to 1970, with Cameroon holding a 5–1 lead in victories before this latest meeting. Two previous encounters had gone to penalties, both won by Ivory Coast. Among the 35,165 crowd were French internationals Kylian Mbappé, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Jules Koundé, while CAF president Patrice Motsepe was also in attendance.
With both teams now on four points, qualification for the round of 16 remains firmly in their grasp. The top two finishers in each group advance, along with the best four third‑placed sides, ensuring the heavyweight duel in Marrakesh leaves both Ivory Coast and Cameroon well placed for the knockout stages.
