12/31/25 03:34:00
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12/31 15:33 CST Comeback wins for Ivory Coast, Cameroon at Africa Cup. Sudan
advances despite defeat and war at home
Comeback wins for Ivory Coast, Cameroon at Africa Cup. Sudan advances despite
defeat and war at home
By CIARAN FAHEY
AP Sports Writer
CASABLANCA, Morocco (AP) --- Bazoumana Tour scored in stoppage time as
defending champion Ivory Coast recovered from a two-goal deficit to beat Gabon
3-2 in the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday.
Christopher Opri crossed for Tour to head in the winner as Les lphants
staged a dramatic comeback to finish top of Group F, just ahead of Cameroon, by
virtue of scoring a goal more than the Indomitable Lions.
Five-time winner Cameroon also came from behind to beat Mozambique 2-1 in the
other group game.
Both Ivory Coast and Cameroon finished with 7 points each, with a goal
difference of plus 2, but Ivory Coast scored five goals, compared to Cameroon's
four.
Mozambique also progressed to the last 16 as one of the four best third-place
finishers.
Gabon was already eliminated after starting with two defeats.
Down but not out
Despite a 2-0 loss to Burkina Faso in its final group game, Sudan can look
forward to the knockout stage after qualifying as one of the best third-place
finishers.
Both teams were already assured of advancing before their Group E match
Wednesday. Sudan progressed despite the complication of playing all its
qualification games away from home as the country contends with a brutal war
and humanitarian crisis.
"This is good for all Sudanese," said Sudan coach James Appiah, whose team next
faces 2021 champion Senegal in the last 16 in Tangier on Saturday.
Burkina Faso made a better start and the Stallions duly took the lead through
Lassina Traor in the 16th.
Sudan had a great opportunity to level when Burkinabe 'keeper Herv Koffi
bundled over Al Gozoli Nooh in the penalty area, but Nooh missed the resulting
spot kick.
The Sudanese fans, who were in a majority at the Stade Mohammed V stadium,
tried rallying the team. Yasir Mozamil was just wide, and Amar Abdallah missed
another good chance for Sudan.
Arsne Kouassi sealed the Stallions win with a late goal as Burkina Faso
finished second in the group.
Algeria wins
Algeria, already assured of topping the group, signed off before its last-16
meeting with Congo with a 3-1 win over Equatorial Guinea, which finished with
three defeats.
Zineddine Belaid, Fares Chaibi and Ibrahim Maza scored in the first half for
Algeria.
Veteran forward Emilio Nsue -- playing for the first time legally in the Africa
Cup -- scored a brilliant consolation for the National Thunder in the second
half. The 35-year-old Nsue was the top scorer at the last edition, but FIFA in
2024 ruled he was never eligible over his 11 years playing for Equatorial
Guinea. He was finally cleared to play in March this year.
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AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations
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