From Stoppage-Time Heroics to Dominant Displays, Tournament Favorites Find Their Footing in Opening Group Matches
The Africa Cup of Nations delivered on its promise of unpredictability and emotion during a gripping Christmas Eve of football, featuring chaotic finishes, stunning comebacks, and moments of pure individual brilliance.
The day began with what many expected to be its quietest match—Burkina Faso versus Equatorial Guinea—but it quickly turned into a rollercoaster. After Equatorial Guinea’s Basilio Ndong was sent off for a rough challenge, Burkina Faso thought they had taken the lead, only for VAR to rule it out. Against the run of play, Equatorial Guinea’s substitute Marvin Anieboh powered in an 85th-minute header, seemingly stealing victory. But Burkina Faso refused to surrender. In the fifth minute of added time, substitute Georgi Minoungou fired home an emotional equalizer. There was still drama to come: eight minutes past the 90, defender Edmond Tapsoba nodded in a rebound to complete a breathtaking comeback win for the Stallions.
Later, Algeria made a powerful statement in Group E, cruising past Sudan with a commanding 3–0 victory. Captain Riyad Mahrez set the tone, scoring the fastest goal of the tournament so far after just 82 seconds.
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Sudan’s challenge grew harder when Salah Adel was sent off before halftime, and Mahrez struck again after the break following a stunning outside-of-the-boot assist from Mohamed Amoura. A late third from substitute Ibrahim Maza sealed a performance that reminded everyone of Algeria’s championship ambitions.
Defending champions Ivory Coast left it late to overcome a stubborn Mozambique side. After a wasteful first half in which Franck Kessié missed a clear header, the skipper redeemed himself by setting up young forward Amad Diallo, who coolly finished with his weaker foot for his first ever AFCON goal.
The Elephants held on for a 1–0 win, though coach Jean-Louis Gasset will know his team must sharpen their finishing as the tournament progresses.
The day closed with Cameroon edging past Gabon in a tense 1–0 encounter. Karl Etta Eyong’s early goal—initially ruled offside before being overturned by VAR—proved enough, though Gabon threatened after introducing stars Mario Lemina and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the first half.
Cameroon’s defense held firm under pressure, with goalkeeper Devis Epassy making a crucial late save to secure the points.
What’s Next
Algeria top Group E on goal difference ahead of Burkina Faso, and the two will meet this Sunday in a match that could decide the group winner. In Group F, Cameroon and Ivory Coast sit level at the top and will face off in a highly anticipated clash of giants. For the likes of Sudan, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Mozambique, every point now becomes critical in the scramble for knockout-round places.
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