While the final standings for Group F are still being decided, Ivory Coast effectively have one foot in the next round. The Elephants currently sit atop of the standings with 4 points, meaning a single point today would guarantee their progression. Even with a loss, the reigning champions would likely advance as one of the four best third-placed teams in the tournament.

In contrast, Gabon face a much steeper climb. Led by star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the Panthers have failed to record a point in their first two matches. Their only path to the Round of 16 requires a victory today, combined with a favorable result in the simultaneous matchup between Cameroon and Mozambique.

As the group stage draws to a close, the race for the best third-place slots remains tight. Currently, Tanzania, Benin, Sudan, and Mozambique are the frontrunners for those final four tickets to the elimination rounds, but with one matchday left, the landscape of the tournament could change dramatically by the final whistle.

What happens if Ivory Coast win vs Gabon?

If Ivory Coast defeat Gabon in the final group stage match, the team led by Emerse Fae will automatically secure its place in the knockout rounds. The result of the match will determine its path forward in the tournament bracket.

Should the Elephants finish as the runner-up in Group F, they are slated for a high-stakes meeting with South Africa in the next round. However, if they clinch the top spot in the group, they will instead face the second-place team from Group E, which is expected to be either Burkina Faso or Sudan.

What happens if Ivory Coast and Gabon tie?

Should today’s match end in a draw, Ivory Coast would officially secure their passage to the Round of 16. With 5 total points, the defending champions would be guaranteed a top-two finish in Group F, regardless of the outcome between Cameroon and Mozambique.

What happens if Ivory Coast lose vs Gabon?

A victory for Gabon tonight is the only way Aubameyang and his squad can keep their slim hopes of a knockout stage berth alive. However, their fate is not in their own hands; a win or even a draw for Mozambique against Cameroon would officially eliminate Gabon from the tournament, regardless of their own result.

Ivory Coast enter the match with significantly less pressure, as they have already guaranteed their place in the Round of 16. However, a loss could still sting, as it might drop them to third place in the group standings. This would only happen if Mozambique defeat Cameroon and the Indomitable Lions maintain a superior goal difference over the Ivorians.

[Watch Cameroon vs Gabon online in the US on Fubo]

Two familiar rivals get a chance to bounce back as Gabon and Cameroon square off after both narrowly missing Intercontinental Qualifier spots. Gabon fell in the semifinals to Nigeria and will look to maximize what could be one of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s final runs at the international level.

Meanwhile, Cameroon enters eager to respond after a shock loss to DR Congo. With the Indomitable Lions led by the attacking spark of Bryan Mbeumo, this matchup offers both sides a prime opportunity to open their AFCON campaign with a statement result.

When will the Cameroon vs Gabon match be played?

Cameroon take on Gabon for the Matchday 1 of the 2025/2026 Africa Cup of Nations group stagethis Wednesday, December 24. The action is set to kick off at 3:00 PM (ET).

Cameroon vs Gabon: Time by State in the USA

ET: 3:00 PM
CT: 2:00 PM
MT: 1:00 PM
PT: 12:00 PM

How to watch Cameroon vs Gabon in the USA

Catch this 2025 Africa Cup of Nations clash between Cameroon and Gabon live in the USA, streaming on Fubo. Other options: Fanatiz USA, beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español and beIN SPORTS Connect.

The CAF qualifiers wrap up with a high-stakes second-round mini-tournament featuring four powerhouse nations battling for a spot in the interconfederation playoffs. Among them is World Cup regular Nigeria, led by star forward Victor Osimhen.

Galatasaray’s forward aims to guide the Super Eagles back to the World Cup. Standing in their way is Gabon, anchored by veteran striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, as the Panthers chase a historic first-ever WC berth in what promises to be an intense semifinal clash.

When will the Nigeria vs Gabon match be played?

Nigeria will take on Gabon this Thursday, November 13, for the semifinal of the CAF World Cup Qualifiers second round. The match is set to kick off at 11:00 AM (ET).

Nigeria vs Gabon: Time by State in the USA

ET: 11:00 AM
CT: 10:00 AM
MT: 9:00 AM
PT: 8:00 AM

How to watch Nigeria vs Gabon in the USA

The CAF World Cup Qualifiers matchup between Nigeria and Gabon will be available for viewers in the USA via ESPN+.

Burkina Faso had a difficult group stage. They started with a 2-1 loss to Cameroon, but then the victory against Cape Verde and the draw against Ethiopia allowed them to take second place in Group A and advance to the round of 16. With great players such as Traore and Tapsoba, they are favorites to win this game.

In the case of Gabon, they finished second in their group after beating Comoros 1-0 and drawing 1-1 with Ghana and 2-2 with Morocco. For this African Cup of Nations, they suffered the sensitive absence of Aubameyang, who despite being ready to play for his country after recovering from COVID-19, had heart problems detected and therefore decided not to play. Without him, Gabon will of course be a less strong team, but they still hope to surprise Burkina Faso.

Burkina Faso vs Gabon: Match Information

Date: Sunday, January 23, 2022
Time: 11:00 AM (ET)
Location: Limbe Omnisport Stadium, Limbe, Cameroon
Live Stream in the US: FuboTV

Burkina Faso vs Gabon: Time by State in the US

ET: 11:00 AM
CT: 10:00 AM
MT: 9:00 AM
PT: 8:00 AM

Burkina Faso vs Gabon: Storylines and Head-to-Head

The game that these two rivals will play will be the 22nd between both in history. Till now,Gabon dominatethe statistics, having won 8 times, while Burkina Faso havewon 4. In addition, there were 8 draws. This game will undoubtedly be interesting since it will be between twovery even teams, despite Gabon not having its best player.

How to watch or live stream Burkina Faso vs Gabon in the US

Thisround of 16game of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations between Burkina Faso and Gabon, will be broadcast in the United States on FuboTV (free trial). Other options: beIN SPORTS CONNECT, beIN SPORTS XTRA en Español, beIN SPORTS XTRA.

Burkina Faso vs Gabon: Predictions and Odds

The Oddsmakers have a favorite for this match. These are the odds according to DraftKings: unsurprisingly Burkina Faso are the favorite with +155 odds, while Gabon have +240. A tie would finish in a +185 payout.

*Odds via DraftKings

Unfortunately, the former Borussia Dortmund star received more bad news. Aubameyang and Gabonese teammates Axel Meye and Mario Lemina have all been diagnosed with ‘cardiac lesions’ after recovering from Covid-19.

The Gabonese Football Federation said in a statement that medical officials of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) found the heart lesions in Aubameyang in a check after thestriker returned from apositive Covid test. Meye and Lemina also returned from isolation after testing positive and were found the same lesions. The Gabonese FA said the medical officials “did notwant to take any risks” and Aubameyang, Meye, and Lemina were ruled out of Gabon’s 1-1 draw with Ghana.

Aubameyang, Meye, Lemina ruled out of Gabon-Ghana 2021 Afcon clash for ‘heart lesions’ detected after Covid-19 positive

Aubameyang suffered a huge blow as soon as his 2021 AFCON journey was about to get started. The Gabonese star tested positive for Covid-19 at theairport on arrival in Cameroon and was immediately put into isolation.

That saw him miss Gabon’s debut in the competition, a 1-0 victory over Comoros. Aubameyang then tested negative for the virus,came out of isolation on Wednesday and was expected to return to the team against Ghana.

According to The Athletic, Arsenal’s medical department has apparently spoken to the Gabonese medical staff about this situation and were told that the forward is feeling well. Thiscomesshortly after Bayern Munich and Canada international Alphonso Davies – who tested positive for Covid-19 at the start of the year –has been discoveredan inflammation in his heart muscle, known as myocarditis.