Christian Kofane scored a spectacular first international goal and Bryan Mbeumo was replaced at half-time as Cameroon finished second in Group F despite a comeback win over fellow qualifiers Mozambique at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
Cameroon now face a tough task against South Africa in the last 16 and also find themselves in what looks to be the harder side of the draw, after holders Ivory Coast scored a 91st-minute winner in their 3-2 win over Gabon to pip the Indomitable Lions to top spot in Group F on goals scored.
Mozambique, who are 102nd in Fifa’s rankings and beat Gabon by the same scoreline for their first-ever win at an Afcon finals, were briefly on course to win the group and would have claimed second spot had they held on to the lead they earned through Geny Catamo’s sublime 23rd-minute opener in Agadir.
Nene’s own goal drew Cameroon level five minutes later, with 19-year-old Kofane producing the second memorable strike of the night 10 minutes after half-time.
The five-time champions will travel to Rabat to face South Africa on Sunday (19:00 GMT) and could then potentially meet Nigeria in the quarter-finals followed by host nation and tournament favourites Morocco in the semis.
One of the four best third-placed teams from the six groups, Mozambique’s maiden appearance in the second round will start against the Super Eagles in Fes on Monday (19:00 GMT).
Cameroon were three points clear at the top of Group F before Evan Guessand drew Ivory Coast level in the 84th minute, with Bazoumana Toure’s added-time goal then changing the destiny of the two heavyweights in dramatic fashion.
If the news from Marrakech was unwelcome, the emergence of Kofane is a considerable cause for confidence for the Central Africans, who only gave the Leverkusen prospect his debut in their 1-1 draw with Ivory Coast earlier in this tournament.
Manchester United’s Mbeumo sent Kofane through for a one-on-one as new coach David Pagou’s side bossed the early exchanges in this game, only for advanced goalkeeper Ivan Urrubal’s excellent save to divert the ball behind.
Mozambique’s chaotic defending was almost punished a minute later when Kofane’s finishing betrayed him in the six-yard box, and the Mambas also lost Diogo Calila – one of three starters retained from their landmark victory over Gabon, in which he scored – to a hamstring injury after 15 minutes.
The adventurous right-back had the consolation of seeing teammate Geny Catamo open the scoring in style soon afterwards, cutting inside on the right and curling a glorious finish under Devis Epassy’s dive to find the far corner from outside the box.
Nene was unfortunate to inadvertently restore parity five minutes later, turning the ball into an unguarded net while on the ground in the six-yard box and attempting to clear the rebound after Frank Magri’s shot had struck a post.
In a Cameroon side featuring six changes, three of the players who retained starting berths had been replaced by the start of the second half.
Captain Nouhou Tolo pulled up with a hamstring injury while chasing a ball three minutes before half-time, while Mbeumo and Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba made way at the break, perhaps in an attempt to ensure the pair did not suffer suspensions by accumulating two cautions across the group stage.
Pagou will hope all three are at their best against a Bafana Bafana side who beat Morocco in the last 16 and reached the semi-finals at the 2023 Afcon – and Mozambique will be targeting a huge upset to oust Nigeria, having held their own against opponents considered title contenders here.
