Defending champion Ivory Coast and five-time Africa Cup of Nations winner Cameroon played out a thrilling 1-1 draw on Sunday, while Algeria secured a spot in the last 16, with France legend Zinedine Zidane once again in attendance.

Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo had a chance to snatch victory in the dying moments but was denied by Ivorian defender Odilon Kossounou, who blocked the ball with his body. Both sides displayed determination throughout, with Cameroon showing unity under new coach David Pagou following the dismissal of Marc Brys amid a public dispute.

The match in Marrakech saw Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo break the deadlock in the 51st minute with a curling strike, his second goal in two games. Cameroon equalized five minutes later via Junior Tchamadeu, whose deflected shot off Ivorian defender Ghislain Konan was recorded as an own goal. Both teams now sit on four points in Group F, keeping their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive. A moment of silence was observed before the match for former Ivory Coast coach Jean-Louis Gasset, who recently passed away.

Elsewhere, Algeria defeated Burkina Faso 1-0, with Riyad Mahrez converting a 23rd-minute penalty for his third goal in two games. The Fennec Foxes topped Group E with six points, advancing to the knockout round. Zidane watched from the stands alongside Algerian fans, while his son Luca saw limited action in goal due to a teammate’s injury.

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Sudan revived its hopes of progression with a 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea in Casablanca. The team faces Burkina Faso in their final group match on Wednesday, with a last-16 berth at stake, while Equatorial Guinea has been eliminated.

The African tournament continues to produce intense clashes, with top teams aiming for progression and fans, including football legends, keeping a close eye on the action.

Source: AP