Amad Diallo Scores Stunning Goal as Ivory Coast Draw with Cameroon at AFCON
Manchester United winger Amad Diallo delivered a moment of brilliance, curling a sensational strike for Ivory Coast, but the defending champions were held to a 1-1 draw against Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations. Diallo’s strike gave his side the lead, only for Junior Tchamadeu’s deflected shot to level the scores six minutes later.
This marked Diallo’s second goal of the tournament, following his match-winning strike against Mozambique in Ivory Coast’s 1-0 opener. Despite the draw, the 23-year-old’s performance earned him the man of the match award, underlining his growing influence on the continental stage.
Ivory Coast, the reigning champions, entered the tournament with high expectations. Diallo’s early contributions have provided a strong start to their Group F campaign, keeping them well-positioned to advance alongside fellow contenders Cameroon, who are also eyeing a deep run in the competition. This fixture, featuring two nations with eight AFCON titles between them, was widely regarded as a key early test.
From the outset, the match was fast-paced and competitive. Cameroon pressed high early on, while Ivory Coast relied on quick transitions and wide play to create chances. Diallo, linking up with his teammates in dynamic attacking sequences, consistently tested the Cameroonian defense. The crowd at the Grand Stade de Marrakech fueled the intensity, creating an electric atmosphere throughout the clash.
Cameroon’s debutant Christian Kofane came close to giving the visitors the lead when his effort rattled the crossbar in the first half. Ivory Coast responded with several promising moves, including one well-timed save from the Cameroonian goalkeeper denying Diallo a second strike before the goal that would come shortly after.
Diallo opened the scoring with a sublime curling effort from the edge of the box, bending the ball past the Cameroonian goalkeeper with precision. The lead lasted only six minutes before Junior Tchamadeu’s low strike took a slight deflection, wrong-footing the Ivory Coast keeper and drawing the teams level.
The second half saw both sides probing for a winner, with Ivory Coast pressing through quick combinations on the wings and Cameroon relying on counterattacks led by their pacey forwards. Opportunities were created at both ends, but goalkeepers remained alert, keeping the scores level.
In the closing minutes, Ivory Coast threatened with a series of set-piece deliveries, while Cameroon pushed players forward in search of a late winner. Despite a tense finish, neither side could find a breakthrough, leaving the game evenly poised.
The draw keeps both Ivory Coast and Cameroon in strong positions to advance from Group F. For Amad Diallo, the display reinforces his reputation as one of the tournament’s standout performers and gives the 23-year-old momentum heading into the next group fixture.