Group F of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is shaping up to be one of the tournament’s most intriguing line-ups, with defending champions Ivory Coast set to clash with five-time winners Cameroon, alongside Gabon and Mozambique.
Afrosport takes a closer look at a tightly contested group packed with star quality, rich history, and AFCON records.
IVORY COAST
Nickname: The Elephants
AFCON History
Ivory Coast have grown into one of Africa’s dominant football nations. From early podium finishes in 1965 and 1968, the Elephants steadily built their reputation before claiming their first AFCON crown in 1992. Further success followed with dramatic title wins in 2015 and 2023, the latter achieved on home soil. Narrow defeats in the finals of 2006 and 2012 remain painful reminders of how close they came to even greater glory.
AFCON Record
Ivory Coast’s consistency is reflected in their honours. They are three-time champions (1992, 2015, 2023), two-time runners-up (2006, 2012), and have finished third four times in 1965, 1968, 1986, and 1994.
Star Player: Amad Diallo (Manchester United)
Ivory Coast Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana (Caykur Rizespor), Mohamed Kone (Charleroi), Alban Lafont (Panathinaikos)
Defenders: Emmanuel Agbadou (Wolves), Willy Boly (Nottingham Forest), Ousmane Diomande (Sporting), Guela Doue (Strasbourg), Ghislain Konan (Gil Vicente), Odilon Kossounou (Atalanta), Evan Ndicka (Roma), Christopher Operi (Istanbul Basaksehir), Armel Zohouri (Iberia 1999)
Midfielders: Seko Fofana (Rennes), Jean-Philippe Gbamin (Metz), Christ Inao Oulai (Trabzonspor), Franck Kessie (Al-Ahli), Ibrahim Sangare (Nottingham Forest), Jean-Michael Seri (Maribor)
Forwards: Vakoun Bayo (Udinese), Oumar Diakite (Cercle Brugge), Amad Diallo (Manchester United), Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig), Sebastien Haller (Utrecht), Jean-Philippe Krasso (Paris FC), Bazoumana Toure (Hoffenheim), Wilfried Zaha (Charlotte)
Coach: Emerse Fae
CAMEROON
Nickname: Indomitable Lions
AFCON History
Few teams understand the demands of AFCON better than Cameroon. They are five-time champions and veterans of 21 tournament appearances.
Cameroon’s AFCON journey is legendary. The Indomitable Lions burst onto the continental stage with title victories in 1984 and 1988. A new golden era arrived at the turn of the millennium, with back-to-back triumphs in 2000 and 2002, before their most recent success in 2017.
AFCON Record
Cameroon are five-time AFCON champions, winning the tournament in 1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, and 2017. Their 21 appearances place them among the most experienced and successful nations in AFCON history.
Star Player: Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United)
Cameroon full squad
Goalkeepers: Devis Epassy (Dinamo Bucharest), Simon Omossola (St Eloi Lupopo), Simon Ngapandouetnbu (Montpellier), Edouard Sombang (Colombe Du Dja).
Defenders: Samuel Kotto (Gent), Gerzino Nyamsi (Lokomotiv Moscow), Jean-Charles Castelletto (Al Duhail), Nouhou Tolo (Seattle Sounders), Flavien Enzo Boyomo (Osasuna), Mahamadou Nagida (Rennes), Christopher Wooh (Spartak Moscow), Junior Tchamadeu (Stoke City), Darlin Yongwa (Lorient).
Midfielders: Martin Ndzie (Rapid Vienna), Carlos Baleba (Brighton & Hove Albion), Arthur Avom (Lorient), Eric-Junior Dina Ebimbe (Brest), Brice Ambina (Valerenga), Jean Junior Onana (Genoa), Olivier Kemen (Istanbul Basaksehir).
Forwards: Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United), Christian Bassogog (Al Okhdood), Georges-Kevin N’koudou (Al Diriyah), Danny Namaso (Auxerre), Frank Magri (Toulouse), Karl Etta Eyong (Levante), Christian Kofane (Bayer Leverkusen), Patrick Soko (Almeria).
Coach: Marc Brys
Gabon
Nickname: The Panthers
AFCON History
Gabon have carved out a reputation as dangerous outsiders at AFCON. Since their debut in 1994, they have made eight appearances. Their best tournament runs have seen them reach the quarter-final.
AFCON Record
Across eight AFCON participations, Gabon’s strongest performances have come at the quarter-final stage in 1996 and 2012, marking their highest achievement in the competition to date.
Star Player: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Gabon Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Loyce Mbaba (Stella Club), Anse Ngoubi Demba (Mosta FC), Junior Bekale (Hafia FC)
Defenders: Anthony Oyono (Frosinone), Jeremy Oyono (Frosinone), Johann Obiang (Orleans), Aaron Appindangoye (Sivasspor), Bruno Ecuele Manga (Paris 13 Atletico), Alexis Moucketou (Aris Limassol), Mick Onfia (Hafia FC), Jonathan Do Marcolino (Bourg-en-Bresse), Uriel-Michel Mboula (Metz), Jacques Ekomie (Angers)
Midfielders: Mario Lemina (Galatasaray), Samake Nze (Stade d’Abidjan), Guelor Kanga (Esenler Erokspor), Eric Gocoum (Gol Gohar Sirjan FC), André Poko (Amed SK), Ruben Loufilou (Al Mina’a SC), Didier Ndong (Esteghlal)
Forwards: Shavy Babicka (Toulouse), Teddy Averlant (Amiens), Denis Bouanga (LAFC), Edlin Essang-Matouti (USM Khenchela), Malick Evouna (AS Mangasport Moanda), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Marseille), Royce Openda (Bordeaux), Jim Allevinah (Angers)
Coach: Thierry Mouyouma
MOZAMBIQUE
Nickname: The Mambas
AFCON History
The Mambas have appeared at the tournament five times, though progress beyond the group stage has proven elusive, each appearance has strengthened their resolve to challenge higher-ranked teams.
AFCON Record
Mozambique have made five AFCON appearances, losing out in the group stage in all.
Star Player: Reinildo Mandava
Mozambique full squad
Goalkeepers: Ernani Siluane (Black Bulls), Ivane Urrubal (UD Songo), Kimiss Zavala (Maritimo)
Defenders: Bruno Langa (Paphos), Oscar Cherene (UD Songo), Edmilson Dove (Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya), Nanani (UD Songo), Feliciano Jone (Black Bulls), Diogo Cabral (Santa Clara), Reinildo Mandava (Sunderland), Mexer (Keciorengucu), Fernando Chambuco (Black Bulls)
Midfielders: Joao Bonde (Ferroviario), Ricardo Guimaraes (Zira FK), Manuel Kambala (Polokwane City), Keyns Abdala (Chaves), Alfonso Amade (Dunfermline)
Forwards: Geny Catamo (Sporting CP), Witness Quembo (CD Nacional), Elias Pelembe (UD Songo), Chamito Alfandega (AC Viseu U23), Stanley Ratifo (Chemie Leipzig), Faisal Bangal (Mestre), Melque Alexandre (UD Songo), Gildo Vilanculos (Tadamon Sour)
Coach: Chiquinho Conde
