Diallo strikes again as Ivory Coast and Cameroon share spoils in AFCON classic

Football
By Robert Abong'o | Dec 29, 2025

Cameroon defender Nouhou (L) fights for the ball with Ivory Coast's forward Amad Diallo during the Africa Cup of Nations Group F match Marrakesh Stadium in Marrakesh on December 28, 2025. [Khaled DESOUKI / AFP]

Manchester United winger Amad Diallo was again on the scoresheet as defending champions Ivory Coast were held to a 1-1 draw by fierce rivals Cameroon in a pulsating Africa Cup of Nations Group F clash on Sunday.

Diallo gave the Elephants the lead six minutes into the second half in Marrakesh, scoring his second goal of the tournament, but the advantage was short-lived, with Cote d'Ivoire defender Ghislain Konan inadvertently turning Junior Tchamadeu’s effort into his own net just five minutes later to hand the Indomitable Lions a share of the spoils.

The result leaves Ivory Coast and Cameroon level on four points at the top of Group F, one ahead of Mozambique, who edged Gabon 3-2 earlier in the day.

With the top two teams guaranteed passage to the last 16, and four of the best third-placed sides also advancing, both heavyweights remain firmly in control of their knockout-stage destiny.

The thrilling contest was played in front of a crowd of 35,165, with several high-profile figures in attendance, including French internationals Kylian Mbappe, Aurelien Tchouameni and Jules Kounde, Alexander Song, Samuel Eto'o as well as CAF president Patrice Motsepe.

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