Ivory Coast stun Gabon with late comeback to seal Group supremacy

Ivory Coast produced one of the most dramatic turnarounds of the Africa Cup of Nations so far, rallying from two goals down to beat Gabon 3-2 and finish top of Group F in Morocco.

The defending champions entered the final round knowing victory would guarantee progression as group winners, but they were rocked early by a Gabon side already eliminated and playing with nothing to lose.

Gabon shock the defending champions

Despite their AFCON exit already confirmed, Gabon stunned the Elephants with a blistering start. Within 21 minutes, the Panthers had surged into a commanding 2-0 lead.

Midfielder Guelor Kanga opened the scoring after reacting quickest to a rebound when Ivory Coast goalkeeper Alban Lafont failed to hold Teddy Averlant’s initial effort. Moments later, Gabon doubled their advantage as Denis Bouanga unleashed a superb first-time strike into the bottom corner, leaving the favourites reeling.

The early goals threatened to derail Ivory Coast’s hopes of finishing in the top two, but Emerse Fae’s side gradually steadied themselves and began to respond.

Ivory Coast find a lifeline

The Elephants came close to pulling one back when Oumar Diakite struck the woodwork following slick interplay with Franck Kessie, before finally breaking through just before the interval.

A sharp move down the flank saw Wilfried Zaha square the ball for Jean-Philippe Krasso, who tapped home from close range to give Ivory Coast renewed belief heading into half-time.

Missed Chances and Mounting Pressure

Gabon had opportunities to restore their two-goal cushion early in the second half but failed to capitalise. Clench Loufilou somehow missed the target from a promising position at the far post, while Averlant also squandered a close-range chance that could have sealed an unlikely win.

Those missed opportunities proved costly.

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Fae turned to his bench, introducing Amad Diallo, the Manchester United youngster, in search of inspiration. While Diallo’s first involvement resulted in a harmless free-kick over the bar, another substitute soon made a decisive impact.

A dangerous corner from Christopher Operi was met by Evann Guessand, whose towering header brought Ivory Coast level and sent momentum firmly in their direction.

With Gabon clinging on, Ivory Coast pushed relentlessly for a winner, and found it in dramatic fashion. Bazoumana Toure rose to meet another Operi delivery, powering a diving header into the net to complete a remarkable comeback deep into the closing moments.

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A fourth goal from Yan Diomande was later ruled out for offside, but it mattered little as the Elephants celebrated a stunning victory.

Group F Final Standings Confirmed

The win secured top spot in Group F for Ivory Coast, edging out Cameroon, who defeated Mozambique 2-1 in the group’s other late fixture. Mozambique still advance as one of the best third-placed teams.

For Gabon, the defeat confirmed a grim milestone, their first AFCON campaign without a single point since 1994, closing the tournament on a disappointing note despite a spirited display.

Ivory Coast, meanwhile, march into the knockout stages with momentum restored and belief reinforced, having once again shown why they remain among the continent’s elite.