Ivory Coast overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat Gabon 3-2 and secure first place in Group F thanks to late goals from substitutes Evann Guessand and Bazoumana Toure.
Ivory Coast claimed the top spot in Group F after staging a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory against Gabon at the Marrakesh Stadium.
The Panthers seized an early 2-0 lead within 21 minutes following goals from Guelor Kanga and Denis Bouanga.
However, the Elephants regained momentum just before the interval when Jean-Philippe Krasso converted a Wilfried Zaha pass to halve the deficit heading into the break.
The second half remained a tactical stalemate until coach Emerse Fae’s substitutions altered the game’s trajectory in the closing stages.
In the 84th minute, Evann Guessand leveled the score with a clinical header from a corner. The turnaround was completed in stoppage time when Bazoumana Toure headed home a Christopher Operi cross, ensures the Ivorians maintained their perfect momentum heading into the knockout rounds.
Despite Gabon’s clinical counter-attacking in the first half, Ivory Coast’s dominance in possession eventually wore down the opposition defense.
The result leaves Gabon winless in the tournament, while the Elephants celebrate a resilient performance.
“The assistant’s flag went up for offside and the referee overturned his decision after a VAR review,” proving to be one of several pivotal moments in a high-stakes encounter.