Ivory Coast v Cameroon live: Mbeumo and Amad clash in battle of Afcon heavyweights
The defending Africa Cup of Nations champions face fellow contenders Cameroon
Defending Africa Cup of Nations champions Ivory Coast battle Cameroon in one of the glamour games of the group stage as both sides fight for control of Group F.
Both nations came into the competition among the favourites to win the trophy in Morocco, with each boasting plenty of talent including Premier League regulars Bryan Mbeumo, Carlos Baleba, Amad and Ibrahima Sangare.
However, they both struggled in their opening matches, with the holders scraping a 1-0 win past Mozambique and Cameroon beating Gabon by the same scoreline.
Those results mean that this is a huge game in Group F, with whoever wins this match taking control of the group ahead of the final round of matches, and the group winner likely facing an easier round of 16 match while the runner-up potentially faces another continental giant in South Africa.
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Ivory Coast 0-0 Cameroon
22 mins
CLOSE! Still no shots on target but you can hardly get closer than this!
It’s a great move from Cameroon, with Mbeumo sliding a ball through to Tchamadeu, who cuts it back to Kofane.
The striker takes the first-time shot and it beats the ‘keeper but crashes off the crossbar and away!
Ivory Coast 0-0 Cameroon
20 mins
A bit of a lull in activity here in terms of chances, with both sides struggling to keep possession for a sustained period. No shots on target so far!
Ivory Coast 0-0 Cameroon
18 mins
Plenty of cheers as Kylian Mbappe takes a seat and he’s shown on the big screens. His father, Wilfrid, was born on the Cameroonian island of Douala.
Moments after he flashes up on screen, Kotto does brilliantly to divert a cross onto the head of Kessie and away from danger.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Cameroon
15 mins
First yellow card of the day goes to Baleba as he scythes down Seko Fofana.
Both sides have grown into the game but it’s the Ivory Coast who are dominating, despite the fact that Cameroon have had the best chance.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Cameroon
11 mins
CLOSE! The first real chance of the game falls to Cameroon, who sweep it wide before Tchamadeu clips a cross to the back post and Yongwa volleys into the side-netting!
Ivory Coast 0-0 Cameroon
9 mins
Ivory Coast win a free-kick in a dangerous position around 35 yards out. Diomande delivers it into a promising position and there are some muted penalty appeals, though the ref waves it away for now.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Cameroon
7 mins
The first corner of the days goes to the Ivory Coast, with Tolo doing well to put a dangerous cross out of play.
The set-piece results in Diomande cutting it back for Amad on the edge of the area, but the winger curls an effort wide.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Cameroon
5 mins
Plenty of space in midfield for both sides early on, with neither looking to press an awful lot early on.
Cameroon are yet to knit together a meaningful attack but both sides seem to have settled fairly well.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Cameroon
2 mins
An early foray forward from the Ivory Coast sees a mis-placed cross cannon off the crossbar! Some early drama at the Marrakech Stadium.
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