It wasn’t supposed to be this hard. But then again, for the Elephants of Ivory Coast, doing it the hard way is becoming a trademark. In a stoppage-time crescendo that left fans in Marrakesh breathless, the defending African champions clawed their way back from a two-goal deficit to beat Gabon 3-2, snatching the top spot in Group F from the jaws of disaster.

This victory is more than just three points; it is a statement of intent. By securing the group leadership on goals scored—narrowly edging out rivals Cameroon, who simultaneously beat Mozambique 2-1—Ivory Coast avoids a premature heavyweight clash with South Africa. Instead, they now prepare to face Burkina Faso in the Round of 16, a path that keeps their dream of back-to-back titles alive, albeit with heart-stopping volatility.

The Marrakesh Meltdown

For the first 40 minutes, the script was being written by the underdogs. Gabon, playing for pride after their elimination was confirmed days ago, tore through the Ivorian defense with shocking ease. Guelor Kanga silenced the orange-clad crowd with an opener in the 11th minute, followed rapidly by a strike from Denis Bouanga just ten minutes later.

At 0-2 down, the champions looked lethargic. The absence of Gabon’s talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang—who had returned to France for injury treatment—seemed to embolden the Panthers rather than weaken them. For Kenyan observers watching from Nairobi, the halftime betting slips were looking increasingly grim, with the heavy favorites teetering on the brink of a humiliating upset.

The Turning of the Tide

The lifeline came just before the break. Wilfried Zaha, recalled to the squad after missing the 2024 triumph, proved his worth by setting up Jean-Philippe Krasso to pull one back in the 44th minute. That goal changed the dressing room dynamic.

Coach Emerse Faé, never one to shy away from bold decisions, reshuffled his pack in the second half. He withdrew captain Franck Kessié and introduced fresh legs, including Manchester United’s Amad Diallo. The gamble paid off. As Gabon’s legs tired, the Ivorian pressure mounted.

• 84th Minute: Evann Guessand rises highest to head home the equalizer, setting up a frantic finale.
• 90+1 Minute: Substitute Bazoumana Toure completes the miracle, diving to head in a Christopher Operi cross deep into stoppage time.

The Kenyan Perspective

While the Harambee Stars are watching this tournament from home—having been bundled out of the qualifiers by Zimbabwe last November—the drama in Morocco resonates deeply in Nairobi. The sheer resilience of the Ivorians serves as a stark reminder of the "championship mentality" required to compete at this level.

For the local betting community, the match was a rollercoaster. The late turnaround likely saved thousands of accumulators across the country, reinforcing the old adage in African football: never write off the Elephants until the final whistle blows.

With the group stage now concluded, the bracket is set. Ivory Coast will face the Stallions of Burkina Faso, while Cameroon must navigate a tricky tie against South Africa. If Wednesday night in Marrakesh proved anything, it is that the road to the AFCON trophy is paved with panic, resilience, and the occasional miracle.