Key events
19 mins: Cote d’Ivoire think they have a penalty as Oulai is bustled over in the area by Poko – but the referee’s whistle is actually for offside against Oulai.
18 mins: The pattern of the game looks to be established now, with Gabon sitting back and inviting their opponents to break them down.
16 mins: Didier Ndong is booked for a clumsy foul about 10 yards outside the area. Another chance to bend a cross in, but Gabon deal with the danger again.
14 mins: As it stands, Cameroon lead Group F – their game against Mozambique is still goalless – while Cote d’Ivoire sit second.
13 mins: Cote d’Ivoire look to hit back quickly, with the ball deflected over the bar after Gabon keeper Bekale went walkabout. The corner finds the head of Diomande, but the centre-back sends his effort wide.
After a spell of Ivorian pressure, Gabon break away through Bouanga, who holds the ball up for Kanga. His pass out wide founds Averlant, whose shot is saved by Lafont – but the keeper spills it, and Kanga is there to tuck away the rebound!
GOAL! Gabon 1-0 Côte d’Ivoire (Kanga 10′)
Against the run of play, Gabon take an early lead through Guelor Kanga!
8 mins: Cote d’Ivoire win a free kick just left of the area, which Operi swings into the right area, but nobody in white can get the killer touch.
6 mins: Cote d’Ivoire win a corner that rebounds into the path of Wilfried Zaha. He takes his time to line it up, and it’s deflected behind off Ndong for another corner, which is cleared away.
4 mins: Emmanuel Agbadou gets back to clear the danger from a Gabon long ball upfield.
2 mins: Cote d’Ivoire have started on the front foot, zipping the ball around nicely before a deep cross is punched clear by Bekale.
Kick off
We’re under way! Gabon are in their Brazil-esque yellow and blue, with Côte d’Ivoire in their all-white away kits.
“I’ve watched a few games recently that would put years on anyone,” writes Justin Kavanagh. “Man Utd v Wolves was the latest. So I hope your transannual travels are at least entertaining tonight.”
I’m not sure I’ve ever done a live blog across two different years; if you’re reading this in a country where it’s already 2026, let us know how it’s going.
If you’re wondering why Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang isn’t anywhere to be found on the Gabon team sheet – he’s already left Afcon and returned to Marseille, having played through injury at the tournament.
Côte d’Ivoire have made several changes from the team that drew with Cameroon, resting the likes of Amad Diallo, Ibrahim Sangare and Seko Fofana with a place in the last 16 already guaranteed.
Here’s how the last 16 bracket looks, with just Group F’s three qualifiers to be slotted in later. While the third-placed team will have to face Nigeria, the routes for first and second aren’t too different: a winnable last-16 tie, then probably Egypt or Morocco in the quarter-finals.
Mali v Tunisia
Senegal v Sudan
Egypt v Benin
[Winner Group F] v Burkina Faso
South Africa v [Runner-up Group F]
Morocco v Tanzania
Algeria v DR Congo
Nigeria v [third place Group F]
In Group E, Algeria were already assured of top spot but secured their third straight win, defeating Equatorial Guinea 3-1. Zineddine Belaid, Fares Chaibi and Ibrahim Maza all struck in the first half for Algeria, with Emilio Nsue getting a consolation goal for eliminated Equatorial Guinea.
In the other game, Burkina Faso sealed second place in the group with a 2-0 win over Sudan, who still go through as one of the best third-placed teams. Lassina Traore and Arsene Kouassi scored for the Stallions in Casablanca.
Team news
Gabon (4-2-3-1): Bekale; Jeremy Oyono, Mouketou-Moussounda, Omfia, Ekomie; Ndong, Lemina; Poko, Kanga, Bouanga; Averlant.
Subs: Ngoubi, Appindangoye, Anthony Oyono, Ecuele Manga, Obiang, Evouna, Loufilou, Babicka, Bocoum, Nze Bagnama, Do Marcolino, M’Bemba, Essang-Matouti, Openda, Mbaba.
Côte d’Ivoire (4-3-3): Lafont; Operi, Ousmane Diomande, Agbadou, Zohouri; Seri, Kessie, Oulai; Diakite, Krasso, Zaha.
Subs: Yahia Fofana, Konan, Seko Fofana, Kossounou, Boly, Diallo, Doue, Sangare, N’Dicka, Guessand, Toure, Gbamin, Yan Diomande, Kone.
Preamble
The group stages of Afcon 2025 come to a close tonight, with top spot in Group F still up for grabs. Côte d’Ivoire are looking to hold off Cameroon to join the other big names finishing first in their group: Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal and Algeria.
In order to do that, the Elephants need to match or better Cameroon’s result against Mozambique in tonight’s game. It helps that Gabon are already out, although pride is at stake after that unexpected 3-2 defeat to the group outsiders on Sunday.
As for Mozambique, they are already guaranteed at least a last-16 place as one of the four best third-placed sides, but could still claim top spot with a win tonight – which would certainly shake up the knockout bracket. Kick-off: 7pm (GMT).
