In a heart-pounding display of resilience, the defending champions Ivory Coast staged an extraordinary comeback against Gabon, securing a dramatic 3-2 victory that saw them top Group F at the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Marrakesh.

The match began with Gabon seizing an early advantage, shocking the title-holders with two quick goals. Guelor Kanga opened the scoring in the 11th minute, with Los Angeles-based Denis Bouanga doubling their lead on 21 minutes, leaving Ivory Coast facing a daunting deficit.

The Ivorian response came just before halftime, with Jean-Philippe Krasso converting a clever assist from Wilfried Zaha, a former Crystal Palace winger who had been recalled to the national squad. The goal breathed new life into the defending champions, setting the stage for a remarkable turnaround.

As the match progressed, substitutes played a crucial role in Ivory Coast's revival. Evann Guessand, a late addition to the squad who replaced an injured Sebastien Haller, equalized with just six minutes of regular time remaining. Then, in a final moment of drama, substitute Bazoumana Toure scored a stoppage-time winner that secured top spot in the group.

Meanwhile, in Agadir, Cameroon faced their own challenges against Mozambique. After falling behind to a surprising goal from Geny Catamo, the five-time champions fought back through an own goal by Feliciano 'Nene' Jone. The decisive moment came from 19-year-old Christian Kofane, whose fierce shot from outside the box sealed a 2-1 victory.

The results finalized the knockout stage lineup, with Ivory Coast set to face Burkina Faso, Cameroon matched against South Africa, and Mozambique drawing Nigeria. Both Ivory Coast and Cameroon finished with seven points and a plus-two goal difference, with the Ivorians ultimately topping the group by virtue of scoring five goals to Cameroon's four.

In a tournament marked by dramatic twists and remarkable resilience, these matches showcased the unpredictable and thrilling nature of African football, proving once again why the Africa Cup of Nations captures the imagination of millions across the continent and beyond.