The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) served up another intense round of fixtures on December 24, as four nations Burkina Faso, Algeria, Ivory Coast, and Cameroon picked up crucial victories that immediately shift the tone of their group campaigns.
From late drama to composed finishes, the day highlighted how quickly momentum can change in tournament football.
Burkina Faso 2–1 Equatorial Guinea
Burkina Faso produced the most dramatic moment of the day, sealing a 2–1 comeback win in the dying minutes. Equatorial Guinea looked set for all three points until the Stallions flipped the script in stoppage time.
A 95th-minute equaliser sparked the turnaround, before a towering late header completed the comeback. The result instantly places Burkina Faso among the teams to watch, not just for points but for mentality.
Algeria 3–0 Sudan
Algeria were the most dominant side of the matchday, claiming a 3–0 win over Sudan with confidence and control from start to finish.
A brace from Riyad Mahrez set the tempo, before a late third goal wrapped up the performance. Sudan struggled to contain Algeria’s midfield rotations and wide combinations, allowing the North African giants to start fast in their group.
Ivory Coast 1–0 Mozambique
Reigning champions Ivory Coast opened their title defence with a 1–0 win against Mozambique, choosing efficiency over spectacle. The Elephants controlled key moments rather than the full tempo of the match, and a second-half strike made the difference.
Mozambique defended bravely and forced Ivory Coast into careful build-up play, but the champions’ composure in decisive moments held firm.
Cameroon 1–0 Gabon
Cameroon joined the winners’ column with a 1–0 win against Gabon, in a match defined by discipline rather than chaos. The Indomitable Lions capitalised on their best chance of the game and then managed the rhythm well enough to close out the result.
Gabon had opportunities of their own but lacked the precision needed in the final third.