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12/31 15:48 CST Comeback wins for Ivory Coast, Cameroon at Africa Cup. Sudan
advances despite defeat and war at home
Comeback wins for Ivory Coast, Cameroon at Africa Cup. Sudan advances despite
defeat and war at home
By CIARAN FAHEY
AP Sports Writer
CASABLANCA, Morocco (AP) --- Bazoumana Tour scored in stoppage time as
defending champion Ivory Coast recovered from a two-goal deficit to beat Gabon
3-2 on Wednesday in the Africa Cup of Nations, which now enters the knockout
stage.
Christopher Opri crossed for Tour to head in the winner as Les lphants
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.
Opri had also set up fellow substitute Evann Guessand for the equalizer in the
84th minute.
Five-time winner Cameroon also came from behind to beat Mozambique 2-1 in the
other group game.
Both Ivory Coast and Cameroon finished with seven points each, with a goal
difference of plus 2, but Ivory Coast scored five goals, compared to Cameroon's
four.
Mozambique also progressed to the last 16 as one of the four best third-place
finishers.
Gabon was already eliminated after starting with two defeats.
Last 16 games Ivory Coast stays in Marrakech after winning the group and will next face Burkina Faso in the last 16 on Tuesday. Cameroon was dealt a tough encounter against South Africa in Rabat on Sunday, and Mozambique will face Nigeria the next day in Fez. Down but not out Despite a 2-0 loss to Burkina Faso in its final group game, Sudan can look forward to the knockout stage after qualifying as one of the best third-place finishers. Both teams were already assured of advancing before their Group E match Wednesday. Sudan progressed despite the complication of playing all its qualification games away from home as the country contends with a brutal war and humanitarian crisis. "This is good for all Sudanese," said Sudan coach James Appiah, whose team next faces 2021 champion Senegal in the last 16 in Tangier on Saturday. Burkina Faso made a better start and the Stallions duly took the lead through Lassina Traor in the 16th. Sudan had a great opportunity to level when Burkinabe 'keeper Herv Koffi bundled over Al Gozoli Nooh in the penalty area, but Nooh missed the resulting spot kick. The Sudanese fans, who were in a majority at the Stade Mohammed V stadium, tried rallying the team. Yasir Mozamil was just wide, and Amar Abdallah missed another good chance for Sudan. Arsne Kouassi sealed the Stallions win with a late goal as Burkina Faso finished second in the group. Algeria wins Algeria, already assured of topping the group, signed off before its last-16 meeting with Congo with a 3-1 win over Equatorial Guinea, which finished with three defeats. Zineddine Belaid, Fares Chaibi and Ibrahim Maza scored in the first half for Algeria. Veteran forward Emilio Nsue -- playing for the first time legally in the Africa Cup -- scored a brilliant consolation for the National Thunder in the second half. The 35-year-old Nsue was the top scorer at the last edition, but FIFA in 2024 ruled he was never eligible over his 11 years playing for Equatorial Guinea. He was finally cleared to play in March this year. ___ AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations |
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