Tchouameni and Kounde Put Club Rivarly Aside to Watch AFCON Clash Together
- Jules Koundé and Aurélien Tchouaméni set aside their Barcelona–Real Madrid rivalry to attend an AFCON clash together
- The Côte d’Ivoire vs Cameroon showdown attracted elite European stars, underlining the tournament’s growing international appeal
- Koundé and Tchouaméni have roots in separate West African countries and used the time to enjoy African football
Aurélien Tchouameni and Jules Kounde showed that football rivalries can be put firmly to one side after the pair were spotted watching an Africa Cup of Nations clash together during the winter break.
Despite lining up for fierce domestic rivals in Spain, the France internationals shared a seat in the stands as Côte d’Ivoire faced Cameroon in Morocco, where AFCON matches are being staged.
Source: Getty Images
Kounde and Tchouameni watch AFCON together
With club football paused in Spain's top division, both players took the opportunity to unwind and enjoy top-level international action, proving that respect and friendship extend beyond club colours.
Koundé, with deep family roots in Benin, was fully absorbed in the match. Tchouaméni, whose heritage links him to Cameroon, followed the action with equal intensity, immersing himself in the atmosphere of one of Africa’s fiercest football rivalries.
Images and videos seen by YEN.com.gh captured the moment, with fans delighted by the show of friendship on Africa’s biggest football stage.
Below is the photo:
Their presence did not go unnoticed, with fans quick to react online after images of the duo watching the match together circulated on social media.
The sight of two elite European-based stars attending AFCON highlights the growing global appeal of the tournament, which continues to attract attention far beyond the continent.
It also underlined the mutual admiration shared among players at the highest level, regardless of the intense rivalries they are part of during the club season.
Source: Getty Images
Both Koundé and Tchouaméni are enjoying a short winter break before returning to their respective teams, where they will once again be on opposite sides of one of European football’s most competitive divides.
For now, however, club allegiances were temporarily forgotten as they bonded over their shared love for the game.
In the match, as reported by the BBC, Amad Diallo scored his second goal of the AFCON as holders Ivory Coast drew with Cameroon in an enthralling clash between the tournament heavyweights in Marrakech.
In a much-anticipated early showdown between two potential challengers for the title, Junior Tchamadeu struck a deflected equaliser less than six minutes after Amad had exquisitely curled the Elephants in front as part of a result which ensures both sides remain a point clear of Mozambique at the top of Group F and also eliminates Gabon.
According to ESPN, Gabon is already out of the competition running on zero points, while Mozambique are in third on three, with Ivory Coast and Cameroon on four apiece and with identical records.
Zidane, others turn AFCON into worldwide attraction
Mbappe’s appearance adds to a steady stream of high-profile figures gracing the 35th edition of the tournament.
Zinedine Zidane recently attended Algeria’s emphatic win over Sudan to support his son, Luca Zidane.
The 1998 World Cup winner was not the only French-related player present at the AFCON, as PSG winger Desire Doue was seen in Marrakech cheering his elder brother Guela during Côte d'Ivoire's victory over Mozambique.
These moments have blended elite football with powerful personal stories, reinforcing AFCON’s status as more than just a competition.
Mbappe storms Rabat to support Hakimi
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe added fresh sparkle to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after making an appearance in Rabat to support close friend Achraf Hakimi and the Morocco national team.
Mbappe was spotted in the stands during the Group A clash between Morocco and Mali on December 26, 2025, instantly drawing attention inside the stadium and across social media.
Source: YEN.com.gh
