AFCON 2025 Day 4 Wrap: Champions Ivory Coast, Algeria, and Burkina Faso start strong

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AFCON 2025 Day 4 Wrap: Champions Ivory Coast, Algeria, and Burkina Faso start strong

Day 4 of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 delivered drama, grit, and statement victories from some of the continent’s heavyweights.

Defending champions Ivory Coast and 2019 winners Algeria both opened with commanding wins, while Cameroon edged Gabon in a tense Group F clash.

The night’s biggest shock came in Casablanca, where Burkina Faso staged a stunning stoppage‑time turnaround against Equatorial Guinea.

Cameroon 1–0 Gabon

Cameroon began their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 1-0 victory over Gabon in Agadir on Wednesday night. Karl Etta Eyong struck in the sixth minute, finishing Bryan Mbeumo’s clever pass through goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba’s legs. Though initially flagged offside, VAR confirmed the goal, putting the Indomitable Lions level on three points with Ivory Coast, who had beaten Mozambique earlier.

Gabon battled hard, even bringing on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang despite injury concerns, but they couldn’t break down the five-time champions. Devis Epassy denied Royce Openda’s best chance in the 72nd minute, while Cameroon nearly added a second when Frank Magri’s header hit the crossbar.

The teams continue their Group F campaign on Sunday, 28 December, with Gabon facing Mozambique in Agadir, while Cameroon meet fellow heavyweights Ivory Coast in Marrakesh.

Ivory Coast 1–0 Mozambique

Ivory Coast opened their 2025 AFCON campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Mozambique at Stade de Marrakech on Wednesday. After a lively start, Amad Diallo broke the deadlock in the 49th minute, firing home from close range following sustained pressure. The Elephants dominated possession, with Wilfried Zaha and Bryan Mbeumo threatening down the flanks, while Mozambique’s Geny Catamo forced an early save but his side struggled to create clear chances thereafter.

Ivory Coast pressed for a second, controlling the tempo and starving Os Mambas of the ball, yet the scoreline remained unchanged. The Elephants held firm at the back to secure three points and a clean sheet in their opening Group F clash.

Algeria 3–0 Sudan

Algeria launched their TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 campaign in emphatic fashion, sweeping aside Sudan 3-0 in their opening Group E fixture at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat on Wednesday evening.

The Fennecs, champions in 2019, celebrated their first AFCON finals victory since that triumph in Cairo, with captain Riyad Mahrez leading the charge. The veteran winger struck twice before substitute Ibrahim Maza added a late third, signalling Algeria’s intent to re-establish themselves among the continent’s elite.

Mahrez wasted no time in stamping his authority, breaking the deadlock inside two minutes after latching onto Hicham Boudaoui’s precise pass. Sudan’s hopes of recovery were dealt a major blow in the 39th minute when Salah El-Din Adel received a second yellow card, leaving his side to battle with ten men.

After the interval, Algeria tightened their grip on the contest. Mahrez doubled the advantage in the 61st minute, finishing off a slick move orchestrated by Mohamed Amine Amoura. With Sudan stretched and tiring, Ibrahim Maza sealed the win in the 85th minute, converting from Baghdad Bounedjah’s assist.

The victory places Algeria level on three points with Burkina Faso at the top of Group E, while Sudan and Equatorial Guinea remain pointless after the opening round.

Burkina Faso 2–1 Equatorial Guinea

Burkina Faso produced one of the most dramatic finishes of AFCON 2025 so far, scoring twice deep into stoppage time to stun Equatorial Guinea 2-1 at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca. In a match that swung wildly in the closing stages, the Stallions looked destined for disappointment after conceding late against ten-man opposition. But their refusal to surrender paid off spectacularly, as they turned the game on its head in the dying minutes.

The first half was evenly contested, with both sides cancelling each other out in a physical battle. The turning point came early in the second half when Equatorial Guinea’s Basilo Ndung was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge, forcing coach Juan Micha to reshuffle his side.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Equatorial Guinea struck first. Substitute Marvin Aniebo made an instant impact in the 85th minute, heading home Carlos Akapo’s corner to give his team a shock lead.

Burkina Faso responded with relentless pressure and were rewarded in the fifth minute of added time when György Menongo equalised. Just three minutes later, Edmond Tapsoba completed the turnaround, powering home the winner to spark wild celebrations among the Stallions’ players and fans.

The result sends Burkina Faso to the top of Group E with three points, alongside Algeria, while Equatorial Guinea remain bottom.

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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