"Defending champions Ivory Coast were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Cameroon in Marrakesh on Sunday, a result that leaves everything wide open as the teams head into the group finals of the AFCON 2025 cup. Footage shows both teams arriving at Marrakesh Stadium ahead of the match. Eager fans filled the grounds, cheering with flags in a build-up to the group clash. "We are really disappointed as a team to draw this game, but. Yeah, we're going to take one point and prepare for the next game against Gabon and try to win that game," Amad Diallo, midfielder of the Ivory Coast, said at a post-match press conference. Midfielder Seko Fofana echoed that sentiment, stressing the team will now focus on correcting errors as they head to the final group match. "We're taking the positive; we know there are things to improve. We were in the right frame of mind after the goal, but it's also encouraging for the future. We know there's a crucial match against Gabon, which will be important if we hope to finish top of the group and stay here." For Cameroon, the draw offers a boost against the reigning champions, keeping their qualification hopes firmly intact. "For most of the players, today is their first major competition, especially against Ivory Coast. It wasn't easy. We stayed calm. We created a lot of chances," said Nouhou Tolo, defender and captain of the Cameroon national football team. "Both teams could have won today. We had chances, the heart as well," said forward Bryan Mbeumo, who came close with a free kick. Head Coach of the Cameroon national football team David Pagou said the team will now be preparing for its next game but felt satisfied with the draw. "We're going to rest a little and recover from our emotions," he said, adding the team would be looking at the actions that need to be corrected for their next match. "Now it's up to us to make things work the way we want them to." Ivory Coast and Cameroon now sit level on four points at the top of Group F, with qualification to the knockout stage to be decided when the group concludes on December 31. Ivory Coast will face Gabon in Marrakesh, while Cameroon will take on Mozambique in the final round of group matches. The semi-finals will be played on Wednesday, January 14, and the final is scheduled for Sunday, January 18, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Morocco is hosting the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, featuring 24 teams competing for the continental title. "