Le Continent Faces La Belle Famille in AFCON 2025 cracker

By Boris Esono
Football Writer kick442.com-Cameroon

The draw for the 2025 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON has brought about exciting fixtures for the Morocco expedition with Cameroon drawn in Group F alongside Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon and Mozambique.

The draw conducted on Monday, January 27 at the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat, Morocco, saw Cameroon, otherwise known as Le Continent locked against Côte d’Ivoire, also known as La Belle Famille, with fans eagerly awaiting the clash of these African football powerhouses.

The Indomitable Lions, a five-time AFCON Champion, is one of the most-successful teams in the tournament and will clash against the Elephants, aiming for their third title after their triumphs in 2015 and 2023. For Cameroon, it has been eight years since they last lifted the competition back in 2017.

In addition to Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire, Group F includes other formidable teams, like Gabon and Mozambique, creating an exciting battle for qualification into the knockout stages. Making only their eighth appearance at the AFCON, Gabon will be buoyed by their appearance at the last AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire.

Indomitable Lions is expected to head into the competition with a mix of experienced players and fresh talent, including captain Vincent Aboubakar and the rising stars Bryan Mbeumo and Carlos Baleba. For Côte d’Ivoire, the side boasts a talented squad led by captain Franck Kessié, alongside dynamic attackers like Sébastien Haller.

The Cameroon vs. Côte d’Ivoire matchup is set to be one of the most highly anticipated fixtures of the group stage. These two nations share a history of intense football rivalries, with past encounters producing thrilling contests. Having hosted the tournament two years earlier, the Ivorians will be keen to capitalize on their momentum and aim for their third AFCON title.

With both teams eyeing the trophy, all eyes will be on this epic showdown that could set the tone for the rest of the competition. Will Cameroon assert its dominance, or will Côte d’Ivoire rise to the occasion? The answer will unfold on the grand stage of AFCON 2025.