Bazoumana Toure scored in stoppage time for Ivory Coast, securing a 3-2 victory against Gabon in Marrakesh and propelling his team to the top of Group F at the Africa Cup of Nations. The win, achieved after coming back from a two-goal deficit, meant Ivory Coast finished the group stage with seven points, the same as Cameroon.

Cameroon also secured a victory on Wednesday, defeating Mozambique 2-1 in Agadir, thanks to a goal from Christian Kofane. Despite the win, Cameroon finished second in the group.

Ivory Coast and Cameroon concluded the group stage with identical records of seven points and a plus-two goal difference. However, Ivory Coast topped the group due to scoring more goals: five compared to Cameroon's four. According to tournament officials, this outcome highlights the importance of goal-scoring ability as a tie-breaker in international football competitions.

The results finalized the lineup for the last 16 of the tournament. Ivory Coast is now scheduled to face Burkina Faso, while Cameroon will compete against South Africa. Mozambique's journey in the tournament continues as they face an undetermined opponent.

The implications of these results extend beyond the immediate tournament standings. The use of goal difference as a tie-breaker underscores the strategic importance of maximizing scoring opportunities throughout the group stage. Teams must balance defensive solidity with attacking prowess to ensure qualification and favorable matchups in the knockout rounds.