AFCON 2025 Day 7 Wrap: Amad Shines for Ivory Coast; Algeria, Sudan, and Mozambique Seal Crucial Wins

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AFCON 2025 Day 7 Wrap: Amad Shines for Ivory Coast; Algeria, Sudan, and Mozambique Seal Crucial Wins

The seventh day of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations delivered everything fans crave, thrilling goals, historic milestones, and group-stage tension. From Marrakesh to Casablanca and Agadir, four gripping encounters shaped the tournament narrative as giants battled for supremacy and underdogs fought for survival.

Cameroon and defending champions Côte d’Ivoire served up a Group F classic, while Algeria confirmed their knockout spot with a hard-fought win. Sudan reignited their campaign with a historic victory, and Mozambique ended a 38-year drought in stunning fashion.

Here’s how the action unfolded:

Cameroon 1–1 Côte d’Ivoire: Group F Thriller Ends All Square

Cameroon and defending champions Côte d’Ivoire shared the spoils in a pulsating 1–1 draw in Marrakesh, leaving Group F finely balanced.

Amad Diallo’s stunning strike gave the Ivorians the lead early in the second half, but Junior Tchamadeu’s deflected effort quickly restored parity for the Indomitable Lions. Both sides pushed for a winner, with Bryan Mbeumo going close from a free-kick, but the deadlock held.

The result leaves both teams level on four points, with identical goals scored and conceded.

Next fixtures (Dec 31):

  • Cameroon vs Mozambique (Agadir)
  • Côte d’Ivoire vs Gabon (Marrakesh)

Algeria 1–0 Burkina Faso: Mahrez Fires Fennecs Into Knockouts

Goal: Riyad Mahrez 23’ (pen)

Algeria booked their place in the Round of 16 with a hard-fought 1–0 win over Burkina Faso in Casablanca. Riyad Mahrez converted from the spot after Rayan Aït-Nouri was fouled inside the box, sealing back-to-back victories for the Fennecs.

Burkina Faso pressed for an equalizer, with Georgi Minoungou going close, but Algeria’s disciplined defense held firm.

Group E Standings: Algeria top with six points; Burkina Faso and Sudan level on three.

Next fixtures (Dec 31):

  • Algeria vs Equatorial Guinea
  • Burkina Faso vs Sudan

Man of the Match: Ibrahim Maza (Algeria)

“Qualification was the main goal, and we’re happy to achieve it.”

Equatorial Guinea 0–1 Sudan: Historic Win Keeps Dream Alive

Goal: Saúl Coco (OG) 74’

Sudan reignited their AFCON campaign with a gritty 1–0 victory over Equatorial Guinea in Casablanca. The decisive moment came when Saúl Coco turned a cross into his own net, sparking wild celebrations and ending Sudan’s decade-long wait for a tournament win.

The result blows Group E wide open ahead of the final round.

Next fixture: Sudan vs Burkina Faso (Dec 31) – a winner-takes-all clash.

Man of the Match: Mohamed Mamoun Eisa (Sudan)

“We fought for 90 minutes and got the reward. This win means so much for our country.”

Gabon 2–3 Mozambique: Mambas End 38-Year AFCON Drought

Goals: Aubameyang 45+5’, Moussounda 86’ / Bangal 32’, Catamo 42’ (pen), Calila 52’

Mozambique made history with a dramatic 3–2 win over Gabon in Agadir, their first AFCON victory in nearly four decades. Faizal Bangal and Geny Catamo put the Mambas ahead before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pulled one back. Diogo Calila restored the two-goal cushion, and although Gabon scored late, Mozambique held on for a landmark triumph.

Man of the Match: Geny Catamo (Mozambique)

“This win is for Mozambique. We believe we can go far in this tournament.”

<!-- 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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