Kofane scores as Cameroon beat Mozambique but forced to second spot in AFCON group

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Christian Kofane scored his first goal for Cameroon as the five-time African champions came from behind to beat Mozambique 2-1 in their final group F clash of the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) but ultimately had to settle for second place behind leaders Cote d’Ivoire.

The result means the Indomitable Lions finish their group campaign unbeaten for the first time since the 2021 edition of the tournament with seven points after two wins and a draw from three games.

It also implies they will face South Africa, of their former head coach Hugo Broos, who led them to their last AFCON triumph in 2017, in the round of 16, on Sunday January 4, 2026, at 8:00pm.

The Cameroon national team were determined to finish top of their group. However, their ambition took a hit when Mozambique raced to an early lead after Geny Catamo opened the scoring on 23 minutes.

But the Indomitable Lions, like they did against Cote d’Ivoire in their penultimate group game, reacted instantly and levelled scores barely five minutes later from Feliciano Jone Nene’s own goal.

Kofane who was making his second appearance for the team then stepped up to score the winner 10 minutes into the second half.

The Bayer Leverkusen striker collected a pass and fired superbly from the edge of the box with the ball coming off the woodwork before settling on the roof of the net.

The 19-year-old had two great chances to open his goal account for the team in the first half. He fired wide from Bryan Mbeumo’s pass and also had a goal ruled out for offside.

He also set up substitute Karl Etta Eyong late on in the second half for what could have been a vital third goal but the Levante striker strangely missed an easy tap in from close range.

This miss was costly as Cote d’Ivoire, who were two goals down against an already eliminated Gabon side, staged a dramatic comeback to win 3-2 and finish top of the group.

Cameroon were forced to finish the game without their captain Nohou Tolo. The left-back was substituted after 42 minutes with an injury. Coach David Pagou made five changes and handed starting roles to Gerzino Nyamsi, Enzo Boyomo, Mahamadou Nagida, Olivier Kemen and Frank Magri.

Lions face Bafana Bafana in decider

Shortly after he was appointed head coach of the Cameroon national team barely 20 days to the AFCON, David Pagou revealed that their target is to “get past that second round” adding that “it would be a successful AFCON”.

The Indomitable Lions lost to familiar rivals Nigeria in the round of 16. This time, they’ll face South Africa as they continue their push for a sixth continental crown.

The Bafana Bafana finished second placed with six points behind Egypt. They won two games and lost once. South Africa last won the AFCON in 1996. They finished third during the last edition.

If Cameroon beats South Africa in the round of 16, they will face the winner of the game pitting host nation Morocco against Tanzania.

The last time Cameroon and Morocco met in the knockout stage of the AFCON which the North African nation hosted in 1988, the Indomitable Lions clinched the coveted title.

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