Gabon 2-3 Ivory Coast, AFCON 2025-26: CIV Beat GAB In Dramatic Fashion

Bazoumana Touré scored in stoppage time as defending champion Ivory Coast recovered from a two-goal deficit to beat Gabon 3-2 in the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday. Christopher Opéri crossed for Touré to head in the winner as Les Éléphants staged a dramatic comeback to finish top of Group F, just ahead of Cameroon, by virtue of scoring a goal more than the Indomitable Lions. Five-time winner Cameroon also came from behind to beat Mozambique 2-1 in the other group game.

Updated on: 1 January 2026 4:35 pm

Ivory Coast's Evann Guessand scores during the Africa Cup of Nations group F soccer match between Gabon and Ivory Coast, in Marrakech, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

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Ivory Coast's Bazoumana Touré scores during the Africa Cup of Nations group F soccer match between Gabon and Ivory Coast, in Marrakech, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

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Morocco Africa Cup of Nations Soccer: Gabon vs Ivory Coast

Gabon's Guelor Kanga is challenged by Ivory Coast's Emmanuel Agbadou during the Africa Cup of Nations group F soccer match between Gabon and Ivory Coast, in Marrakech, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

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Morocco Africa Cup of Nations Soccer: Ivory Coast vs Gabon

Gabon's Mario Lemina is challenged by Ivory Coast's Oumar Diakité during the Africa Cup of Nations group F soccer match between Gabon and Ivory Coast, in Marrakech, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

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Africa Cup of Nations group F soccer match: Gabon vs Ivory Coast

Uganda's Isaac Muleme and Ivory Coast's Emmanuel Agbadou compete for a header during the Africa Cup of Nations group F soccer match between Gabon and Ivory Coast, in Marrakech, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

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Ivory Coast players celebrate after Jean-Philippe Krasso scores during the Africa Cup of Nations group F soccer match between Gabon and Ivory Coast, in Marrakech, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

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CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025-26: Gabon vs Ivory Coast

Gabon's goalkeeper Demba Anse Ngoubi makes a save during the Africa Cup of Nations group F soccer match between Gabon and Ivory Coast, in Marrakech, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

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Gabon's Denis Bouanga is challenged by Ivory Coast's Armel Zohouri as he scores a goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group F soccer match between Gabon and Ivory Coast, in Marrakech, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

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Gabon's Denis Bouanga celebrates after scoring during the Africa Cup of Nations group F soccer match between Gabon and Ivory Coast, in Marrakech, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

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Gabon vs Ivory Coast Africa Cup of Nations 2025-26

Gabon's Guelor Kanga celebrates after scoring during the Africa Cup of Nations group F soccer match between Gabon and Ivory Coast, in Marrakech, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe