Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, winners of two of the last three Africa Cup of Nations titles, renewed their long-standing rivalry in their second Group F match. This clash marked their ninth meeting at the finals, one of the most frequent fixtures in AFCON history, with Cameroon having previously claimed five victories while two draws had gone to penalties in Côte d’Ivoire’s favour. Before this match, their encounters had produced 15 goals, with Cameroon scoring 11 and Côte d’Ivoire four.
The latest chapter of this storied rivalry unfolded at high speed. Inside two minutes, Côte d’Ivoire came close when Konan’s cross from the left appeared to brush the post. The Elephants continued to press, forcing corners and stretching the Cameroon defence, while Cameroon replied with dangerous counters of their own. Amad Diallo curled a shot wide from the edge of the box, and moments later Cameroon created a major chance when Tchamadeu picked out Yongwa at the back post, only for his volley to hit the side netting. At the other end, Kessié fired over as both teams exchanged attacks in thrilling fashion.
The crowd rose again when the cameras picked out Kylian Mbappé in the stands, adding to the electricity of the night. Cameroon then rattled the bar when Kofane diverted a near-post cross goalward, only to see it crash off the woodwork. Côte d’Ivoire responded with another golden opportunity as Amad floated a cross to Bayo, but his header flew over. The first half ended goalless, but the intensity and quality were undeniable, with Diallo and Mbeumo standing out as constant threats.
The second half resumed at the same blistering tempo. Côte d’Ivoire thought they had taken the lead when Kessié guided the ball into the corner after Bayo’s knockdown, but the flag went up for offside. Soon after, Cameroon struck the crossbar again following a deflected strike from Namaso. Almost immediately, Côte d’Ivoire finally broke through. Konan found Amad Diallo on the right, and the winger cut inside before bending a superb left-footed effort into the far corner to score his second goal of AFCON 2025.
Cameroon hit back within minutes. Kafode worked the ball wide to Tchamadeu, whose first-time strike took a heavy deflection and looped beyond the goalkeeper into the net. The match became increasingly open, with both sides carving out chances. Fofana saw a close-range header saved, and later Mbeumo went agonisingly close from a free-kick, sending his effort just wide of the post. Late on, Kessié required treatment after contact to his calf, but he continued as Côte d’Ivoire pushed for a winner from a series of corners.
In the closing stages, both teams searched desperately for a decisive goal, but neither could find the breakthrough. After a dramatic, high-quality encounter, Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon were forced to settle for a draw that felt fitting given the balance of play.
Côte d’Ivoire will now turn their focus to Gabon, while Cameroon prepare to face Mozambique as the Group F battle continues.
