Christian Michel Kofane of Cameroon celebrates goal with teammates during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON match between Mozambique and Cameroon at the Adrar Stadium, Agadir on the 31 December 2025 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Tuesday Dec 30, 2025. 23:31
Cameroon defeated Mozambique 2-1 at the Adrar Stadium in Agadir on Wednesday night to finish runners-up in Group F at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Indomitable Lions came from behind to take the win – secured by a goal-of-the-tournament contender from Christian Kofane – to finish second in the standings and set up a last 16 clash against South Africa on Sunday.
The Mambas, who claimed the lead via a fine strike from Geny Catamao, finished third and advanced into the knockout stage for the first time ever. They will face Nigeria in their last 16 clash on Monday.
Mozambique suffered an early injury blow when Digo Calila made way for Bruno Langa in the 15th minute, and shortly thereafter the Mambas needed goalkeeper Ivane Urrubal to make a sharp save to deny Christian Kofane.
However, the Southern African side claimed the lead midway through the first half, with Geny Catamo jinking into space just outside the penalty area before curling a left-footed shot into the bottom corner of the net for 1-0.
The Indomitable Lions struck back five minutes later, with a sustained attack forcing Urrubal into a desperate save and seeing the ball hit the post, before defender Nene put the ball into his own net in an attempt to clear from the goal mouth.
Cameroon dominated the rest of the first half, and shuffled their attack at the start of the second by introducing Christian Bassogog.
The Central Africans then claimed the lead in the 55th minute via Kofane, who struck a brilliant long-range drive that travelled into the net via the underside of the crossbar, giving Urrubal no chance whatsoever.
The teams traded scoring chances through the remainder of the game – including an effort from Karl Etta Eyong which will probably go down as the miss of the tournament – but ultimately there was no change to the score line from 2-1.
Mozambique (1) 1 (Catamo 23’)
Cameroon (1) 2 (Nene og 28’, Kofane 55’)
Mozambique: I. Urrubal, D. Calila (B. Langa 15’), Chamboco, E. Dove, Nanani, M. Kambala, Nene (K. Abdala 51’), G. Catamo (Melque 60’), E. Pelembe (J. Bonde 51’), Gildo, S. Ratifo (Chamito 60’)
Cameroon: D. Epassy, F. Boyomo, G. Nyamsi, T. Nouhou (C. Wooh 42’), D. Namaso (J. Dina Ebimbe 62’), O. Kemen, C. Baleba (A. Kamdem 46’), M. Nagida, B. Mbeumo (C. Bassogog 46’), C. Kofane, F. Magri (K. Etta Eyong 72’)