Cameroon battle back to hold Ivory Coast
by KickOff Reporter · KickOffIvory Coast and Cameroon maintained their unbeaten starts at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations following a 1-1 draw on Sunday evening.
The Indomitable Lions hauled Christian Kofane back in the starting line-up ahead of Karl Etta Eyong, while Issouf Bayo replaced Wilfried Zaha for the Elephants.
Ousmane Diomande was close to breaking the deadlock for the Elephants on two minutes with a cross-cum shot from the back-post, but he was denied by the upright, before Bryan Mbeumo sprung the Lions on the charge later on and delivered a cross for Junior Tchamadeu whose attempt battered the woodwork.
Cameroon remained in the ascendancy later on when Carlos Baleba brought a lofted ball on the chest and shot inches wide of the mark.
The Elephants made their intentions clear five minutes into the second half as Amad Diallo got in outside of the area and curled in the bottom-corner, just a couple minutes after they had a goal disallowed for offside.
However, the lead was short-lived after the Indomitable Lions restored parity a minute later through a deflected finish into the top corner by Tchamadeu.
Former AC Milan and Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie got an opening for the Elephants off the head a little later, but he was unable to beat Devis Epassy.
Cameroon made a double substitution after 73 minutes with Eyong on for Kofane and Olivier Kemen filling in for Danny Namaso.
Mbeumo looked to give Cameroon the lead a few minutes later through a free-kick on the edge of the area, but he guided wide of the mark.
The Indomitable Lions went close again in additional time following a counter-attack, but the Elephants tracked back and cleared their lines as the two rivals were forced to walk away with a point each.