Teen Toure heads late winner as Elephants come roaring back to top group at AFCON

The reigning champions, who were already assured of progression to the last 16, looked set to be punished for making 10 changes before beating Gabon 3-2

TUSKS UP: Bazoumana Toure of CÃŽte d'Ivoire scores and celebrates his teams third goal during the AFCON Group F match between Gabon and Ivory Coast at Marrakech stadium, Marrakech, Morocco on December 31, 2025. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Teenage substitute Bazoumana Toure headed a late winner as Ivory Coast snatched top spot in Group F at the Africa Cup of Nations by overturning a two-goal deficit to beat already-eliminated Gabon 3-2.

The reigning champions, who were already assured of progression to the last 16, looked set to be punished for making 10 changes after Guelor Kanga and Denis Bouanga put Gabon in control in Marrakesh.

Jean-Philippe Krasso tapped in a cross from Wilfried Zaha to halve the deficit on the stroke of half-time before Aston Villa's Evann Guessand headed an 84th-minute equaliser.

Hoffenheim forward Toure, 19, nodded home his maiden international goal a minute into added time to complete the comeback and set up a meeting with Burkina Faso in the next round.

Christian Kofane hit a stunning second-half winner as Cameroon finished second in the group following a 2-1 comeback victory over Mozambique.

Geny Catamo gave Mozambique a 23rd-minute lead in Agadir but Nene's own goal levelled matters five minutes later.

Bayer Leverkusen forward Kofane completed the turnaround by lashing home via the underside of the crossbar in the 55th minute.

Cameroon, who finished below group winners Ivory Coast on goals scored, face South Africa in the knockout stages, while third-placed Mozambique will take on Nigeria.

PA