JAKARTA - Manchester United winger Amad Diallo failed to lead Ivory Coast to win the African Cup of Nations big match against Cameroon. Both teams drew 1-1 in the Group F match. Meanwhile, Algeria ensured their qualification to the last 16 after defeating Burkina Faso 1-0.
The Gading Beach, which has the status of defending champion, has had to work hard in the African Cup of Nations group stage. In the first match, the team coached by Emerse Fae only won 1-0 against Mozambique.
Next, Pantai Gading meets the heavyweights of Cameroon at the De Marrakesh Stadium, Morocco, Monday, December 29, 2025 WIB. Pantai Gading actually took the lead first through Diallo.
However, The Elephants failed to maintain the lead. Ghislain Konan's own goal made them fail to win a second victory.
The draw did not change the position of the two teams. Ivory Coast still holds the top spot in Group F with four points. The same as Cameroon who lost by a goal difference so that they ranked second.
Meanwhile, Mozambique maintained the competition for a ticket to the knockout round after defeating Gabon 3-2. The victory made Mozambique have three points and ranked third.
Ivory Coast's match against Cameroon is a big match in the African Cup of Nations that presents European stars. Diallo is the engine of Ivory Coast's attack along with Udinese striker Vakoun Bayo and Yan Diomande who plays at RB Leipzig.
Meanwhile, Cameroon relies on Christian Kofane as the spearhead. The 19-year-old Bayern Leverkusen striker gets support from his colleague Diallo at the club, Bryan Mbeumo.
Even Kofane, who made his debut with The Indomitable Lions, almost broke the Ivory Coast's goal in the 45th minute. It's just that his shot from close range still hit the goalpost.
In the second half, Ivory Coast and Cameroon both played aggressively. Moreover, both teams failed to break the opponent's goal in the previous round.
After failing to put pressure on many times, Ivory Coast actually managed to overcome the deadlock through Franck Kessie in the 48th minute.
Only the former AC Milan and Barcelona midfielder who is now playing at Al Ahli was able to celebrate and was eventually disappointed because his goal was disallowed. Kessie was judged to be in an offside position when he broke into Cameroon's goal.
If Kessie still fails, it is Diallo who finally brings Ivory Coast ahead. Through a counterattack, Diallo completed an assist from Konan in the 51st minute.
The 1-0 advantage made the Ivory Coast players more excited to put pressure. But instead of adding a goal, their goal was conceded.
Konan who played a role in the Ivory Coast's goal made a mistake because the shot from midfielder Junior Tchamadeu hit him. This made the ball completely turn direction and slide into his own goal in the 56th minute.
The suicide goal changed the score to 1-1. There were no additional goals even though both teams took turns to pressure. The score remained until the end of the match.
Algeria Qualified
In another match in Group E, midfielder Riyad Mahrez scored the only goal that made Algeria win 1-0 over Burkina Faso. The second victory made Algeria qualify for the next round after topping the standings with six points.
The match itself was watched by French legend Zinedine Zidane who is also of Algerian descent. In the match, his son, Luca Zidane stood under the Algerian goal.
Luca Zidane actually defended the French national team at the junior level and once defended France U-20. However, at the senior level, he chose to defend Algeria.
Algeria had trouble facing Burkina Faso's solid defense. They finally broke the deadlock after Mahrez scored from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute.
It started with Ismahila Ouedraogo's foul that knocked Manchester City midfielder Rayan Ait Nouri in the penalty box.
The referee also pointed to the white dot and the penalty execution was completed by Mahrez, a former Man City player who is now playing at Al Ahli. The score was 1-0 for Algeria and lasted until the end of the match.
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