Teenage starlet Christian Kofane announced his arrival on the international stage with a stunning winner as Cameroon came from behind to beat Mozambique 2-1 and finish second in Group F at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The 19-year-old from Bayer Leverkusen was making only his second appearance for the Indomitable Lions, having turned down call-ups earlier this season to concentrate on his first Bundesliga season where he has already been making an impact.
Cameroon allowed him to stay at Leverkusen until the eve of the tournament in Morocco with his first caps much anticipated. After squandering several half chances early on in Wednesday's clash, Kofane thrashed home a rocket-like effort from the edge of the area in the 55th minute to win the game.
Five-time Cup of Nations winners Cameroon finished with six points but behind holders Ivory Coast on goal scored and will face South Africa in the round of 16.
The Ivorians beat already eliminated Gabon 3-2.
Gabon were without without injured talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but first half goals from Guelor Kanga and Denis Bouanga gave them a 2-0 lead.
Emerse Fae's side pulled a goal back through Jean-Philippe Krasso, then forced an equaliser via Evann Guessand with six minutes remaining before Toure sealed the win that sets up a Round of 16 clash with Burkina Faso in Marrakech next Tuesday.
Burkina Faso booked second place in Group E with a 2-0 win over Sudan in Casablanca, with goals from Lassina Traore and Arsene Kouassi as their opponents squandered a penalty.
The Burkinabe finished on six points from three matches, three behind group winners Algeria, who advance with a perfect record.
Sudan, meanwhile, progress as one of the four best third-placed teams and face a daunting test against 2021 champions Senegal in Tangier on Saturday.
Traore put Burkina Faso ahead after 16 minutes, rising to meet a looping cross from Stephane Aziz Ki and steering his header inside the far post.
Sudan squandered a golden chance to level when Burkinabe goalkeeper Herve Koffi felled Al-Gozoli Nooh in the box, only for Nooh to drag the resulting penalty wide.
That miss was compounded by further wasted opportunities, and Burkina Faso made sure of the points as Kouassi raced onto a pass from Dango Ouattara and slipped the ball past the goalkeeper from 15 yards.
Algeria kept up their winning run at the finals as they beat Equatorial Guinea 3-1 to affirm their status among the tournament favourites.
Goals in the first half from Zineddine Belaid, Fares Chaibi and Ibrahim Maza saw a second-string side register a comfortable victory at the Stade Moula El Hassan, with veteran Emilio Nsue pulling one back for Equatorial Guinea after the break.
Algeria were already confirmed as group winners after beating Burkina Faso on Sunday to set up a last-16 clash with the Democratic Republic of Congo, enabling them to make nine changes for Wednesday's game.
Equatorial Guinea finished last in Group E without any points, unable to reprise their giant killing heroics of the last Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast
