Match report

Ivory Coast Edges Out Gabon 3-2 in Africa Cup of Nations Thriller

Gabon

2–3

Ivory Coast

Dec 31, 2025

Gabon

Home

Match

Dec 31, 2025 · FT

Ivory Coast

Away

Ivory Coast staged a remarkable comeback to edge out Gabon 3-2 in a gripping Africa Cup of Nations encounter. Gabon took an early two-goal lead through goals from G. Kanga and D. Bouanga, but Ivory Coast rallied through J. Krasso, E. Guessand, and Bazoumana Touré to secure a crucial victory.

Key Facts

• Gabon's D. Bouanga and G. Kanga scored in the 11th and 21st minutes, respectively.
• Ivory Coast's J. Krasso found the net in the 44th minute.
• Ivory Coast equalized in the 84th minute with a goal from E. Guessand.
• Bazoumana Touré secured the win with a goal in the 90th minute.
• D. Ndong of Gabon was substituted after receiving a yellow card in the 16th minute.

Lineups

Gabon

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

16 F. Bekale (G)
21 J. Oyono (D)
4 A. Moucketou-Moussounda (D)
13 M. Onfia (D)
19 J. Ekomie (D)
22 D. Ndong (M)
18 M. Lemina (M)
17 A. Poko (M)
12 G. Kanga (M)
27 T. Averlant (M)
20 D. Bouanga (F)

Substitutes

8 C. Loufilou
1 A. Ngoubi Demba
24 J. Do Marcolino
25 Y. M'Bemba
5 B. Ecuele Manga
10 S. Babicka
2 A. Appindangoye
23 L. Mbaba
28 R. Openda
15 S. Nze
7 M. Evouna
26 E. Matouti
14 E. Bocoum
6 J. Obiang
3 A. Oyono

Ivory Coast

Formation: 4-3-3

Starting XI

23 A. Lafont (G)
5 A. Zohouri (D)
2 O. Diomande (D)
20 E. Agbadou (D)
13 C. Operi (D)
8 F. Kessie (M)
4 J. Seri (M)
19 C. Inao Oulai (M)
14 O. Diakite (F)
11 J. Krasso (F)
10 W. Zaha (F)

Substitutes

1 Y. Fofana
3 G. Konan
6 S. Fofana
7 O. Kossounou
12 W. Boly
15 A. Diallo
16 M. Kone
17 G. Doue
18 I. Sangare
21 E. Ndicka
22 E. Guessand
24 B. Toure
25 J. Gbamin
26 Y. Diomande

Timeline

11' Gabon Goal · Normal Goal

G. Kanga
16' Gabon Card · Yellow Card

D. Ndong

Foul
21' Gabon Goal · Normal Goal

D. Bouanga
44' Ivory Coast Goal · Normal Goal

J. Krasso · Assist: W. Zaha
45'+2 Ivory Coast Card · Yellow Card

A. Zohouri

Foul
46' Gabon subst · Substitution 1

Off: D. Ndong · On: C. Loufilou
54' Ivory Coast Card · Yellow Card

Oumar Diakité

Foul
68' Ivory Coast subst · Substitution 1

Off: W. Zaha · On: E. Guessand
68' Ivory Coast subst · Substitution 2

Off: F. Kessié · On: Bazoumana Touré
76' Ivory Coast subst · Substitution 3

Off: Oumar Diakité · On: A. Diallo
76' Ivory Coast subst · Substitution 4

Off: A. Zohouri · On: G. Doue
78' Gabon subst · Substitution 2

Off: J. Oyono · On: J. Do Marcolino
78' Gabon subst · Substitution 3

Off: M. Onfia · On: R. Openda
82' Ivory Coast subst · Substitution 5

Off: J. Krasso · On: Y. Diomande
84' Gabon subst · Substitution 4

Off: T. Averlant · On: S. Nze
84' Ivory Coast Goal · Normal Goal

E. Guessand · Assist: C. Opéri
90'+3 Gabon subst · Substitution 5

Off: D. Bouanga · On: M. Evouna
90' Ivory Coast Goal · Normal Goal

Bazoumana Touré · Assist: C. Opéri

Match Stats

Stat	Gabon	Ivory Coast
Fouls	15	19
Pass Accuracy	75%	92%
Offsides	0	3
Red Cards	—	—
Total Shots	9	21
Corners	2	8
Total Passes	292	570
Yellow Cards	1	2
Blocked Shots	1	6
Shots on Target	3	5
xG	—	—
Shots off Target	5	10
Possession	33%	67%
Goals Prevented	—	—
Accurate Passes	220	523
Shots Inside Box	5	15
Saves	2	1
Shots Outside Box	4	6

Key Match Notes

▸ The turning point of the match came in the 44th minute when J. Krasso scored for Ivory Coast, reducing Gabon's lead to 2-1 and igniting the comeback.
▸ The momentum shifted decisively in the 84th minute when E. Guessand equalized for Ivory Coast, sparking their late surge that led to the winning goal.