Mozambique and Cameroon went into their final Group F match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations determined to finish strongly and secure top spot, setting the stage for a tense encounter at the Grande Stade d’Agadir. Although this was their first meeting at the AFCON finals, the two nations have faced each other eight times previously, with Cameroon historically dominant thanks to seven victories compared to just one for Mozambique.
The match burst into life early on. In the 5th minute, Mozambique suffered a nervous moment when stand-in goalkeeper Ivane Urrubal was injured after racing off his line to challenge for a loose ball. Cameroon kept the move alive and the net was left exposed, but Urrubal managed to recover in time to collect the follow-up effort and keep the scores level.
Mozambique struck first in the 23rd minute with a moment of pure quality. Geny Catamo curled a superb left-footed effort into the net after being teed up by left-back Infren Matola. The goal continued Catamo’s excellent form, following his decisive contributions in the previous group game.
However, Mozambique’s lead did not last long. In the 28th minute, Cameroon equalised in unfortunate fashion for the Mambas. A scramble in the penalty area saw the ball ricochet around the box before it struck defender Nene, who was attempting to clear while on the turf, and the ball rolled into his own net. Cameroon thought they had taken the lead in the 38th minute when Christian Kofaine finished confidently after beating the offside trap, but the flag was correctly raised to rule out the goal. Cameroon were then forced into a change just before the break when captain Nouhou Tolo had to withdraw through injury.
Cameroon came out stronger after halftime and took the lead in the 55th minute through a stunning strike from 19-year-old forward Christian Kofaine. He stole possession on the edge of the area before unleashing a powerful effort that smashed in off the crossbar, leaving Mozambique’s goalkeeper helpless.
Karl Etta Eyong had a golden chance to extend Cameroon’s advantage in the 78th minute when he was slid through by Kofaine, but he failed to make clean contact in front of an open goal and Mozambique survived. That miss proved costly, as Mozambique created a glorious opportunity to level the match in the 83rd minute. Substitute Bonde was picked out by a brilliant lofted pass into the area, but he miscued his first-time volley and the chance went begging.
Despite the late drama, Cameroon held on to secure progression alongside Mozambique, with both teams advancing from Group F. Cameroon finished second in the standings and will now face South Africa in the round of 16 on January 4, 2026. Mozambique, who continue to grow in confidence on the continental stage, will meet Nigeria on January 5, 2026.
Before this match, Cameroon had won their last seven meetings with Mozambique, dating back to their first encounter during qualifying for the 1984 AFCON – a campaign that famously ended with Cameroon lifting the trophy for the first time.
