The defending champions were in deep trouble, two goals down in just 21 minutes, and Group F looked like it might slip from their grasp. Instead, Ivory Coast ripped up the script. A fearless surge, three second-half answers, and a late, dramatic winner turned a nightmare into a statement. The Elephants beat Gabon 3-2 at AFCON 2025 and finished as Group F leaders on December 31, a result that confirmed their knockout path with a roar.

AFCON 2025 Group F: a comeback with real meaning

This was not just a thriller. It was a test of nerve. With three teams fighting for two automatic spots, Ivory Coast could not afford a slip. Gabon, already out, still had pride to play for, and they showed it early. But the champions found the answers when it mattered most, and that is what top teams do in tournament football.

By full time, Ivory Coast had flipped 0-2 into 3-2. That result put them atop Group F. It also sent a strong message to the rest of the field: the champs can bend, but they do not break.

“Down 0-2 and still win the group? That’s champion DNA.”

Ivory Coast vs Gabon: how the game swung

Gabon came out fast and fearless. Guélor Kanga struck first, and Denis Bouanga doubled the lead. At 2-0 inside 21 minutes, the upset was on. Ivory Coast looked stunned, and the clock felt like an enemy.

Then the champions settled. They pushed higher, moved the ball with more speed, and trusted their forwards. Jean-Philippe Krasso pulled one back to breathe life into the comeback. Evann Guessand then leveled it, and the energy changed. When Bazoumana Touré lashed in the winner late on, the swing was complete. The roar told the story: belief never left the building.

• Gabon scorers: Guélor Kanga, Denis Bouanga
• Ivory Coast scorers: Jean-Philippe Krasso, Evann Guessand, Bazoumana Touré

It was a dramatic finish, the kind of moment that can light up a whole campaign. From a coaching view, the simple lesson is clear: stay calm, keep your shape, let your best players decide the game. Ivory Coast did that.

Stars step up: Krasso, Guessand, Touré and the Opéri nod

Comebacks like this need leaders and finishers. Krasso’s goal opened the door. Guessand kept it wide open. Touré walked right through it for the win. These are the actions that build trust in the group and fear in opponents.

Christopher Opéri earned the Flashscore Man of the Match award, a nod to his influence across the contest. The details that get you across the line often come from players like him: clean decisions, smart runs, and a cool head when legs get heavy.

Managerially, it also mattered that Manchester United starlet Amad Diallo came on. Fresh legs with speed change the picture late. Even if he did not score, his presence asked new questions of a tiring defense.

“Touré’s winner felt like a switch flicking: now the Elephants look dangerous again.”

Gabon’s grim exit, but signs of fight

Gabon’s tournament ends with no wins and a bottom finish in the group. That is a hard fact to take. Yet for 21 minutes against the champions, they were brave and clinical. Kanga and Bouanga gave them the perfect platform. Holding a lead against a heavyweight is the next step in their growth.

This is the lesson for a team building for the future: early goals are not enough; game control matters. Still, that first-half shock showed there is talent in the side. With better game management, the results should follow.

Group F ripple effects: Cameroon, Mozambique, and the bracket picture

In the other late game, Cameroon beat Mozambique 2-1. Even with that loss, Mozambique still made the knockouts as one of the best third-placed teams. That is a reward for steady play across the round and shows how tight Group F has been from start to finish.

The headline, though, belongs to Ivory Coast. They did not just escape; they won the group. In tournaments, seeding and momentum go hand in hand. The Elephants now carry both into the next round.

“If this is the floor for Ivory Coast, imagine the ceiling when they start fast.”

Why this comeback matters for the title race

There is the scoreline, and then there is the story. Coming back from 0-2 tells every future opponent that no lead is safe against Ivory Coast. It also tells the champions something even more valuable: they can trust their response when the heat rises.

For coaches and players, that trust is everything. It lets a team play with freedom. It also makes subs and rotations easier, because everyone feels part of the push. With Krasso, Guessand, and Touré delivering, and Opéri recognized for his impact, the depth looks real.

What’s next for the Elephants

Top spot in Group F means a clearer path, at least on paper. But the first half against Gabon is a warning sign: slow starts can be costly as the stakes rise. The fix is simple to say and hard to do — start sharper, manage transitions, and take early chances.

Still, this was the kind of win that can power a title defense. It was bold, late, and loud. Ivory Coast leave the group stage as leaders and, more importantly, as a team that believes again.

For Gabon, the task now is building on the good moments, like that fierce opening spell, and turning them into 90-minute performances. For the rest of AFCON 2025, the message is clear: the champions have found their spark.