Cameroon makes a success of its debut • Malijet

Host country of the African Cup of Nations, Cameroon won the opening match by overthrowing Burkina Faso (2-1). Find the goals in video.

Cameroon was scared. But Cameroon made a success of its entry into the 2022 African Cup of Nations. Led shortly before the half hour mark by a goal from Gustavo Sangaré (24^e), António Conceição’s men overthrew Burkina Faso in front of their Yaoundé audience, thanks to a double from Vincent Aboubakar (40^e, 45^e+3) on penalty. The Indomitable Lions thus temporarily take the lead of their group A, pending the meeting between Ethiopia and Cape Verde. Video feedback on the game and the goals.

THE GAME. Cameroon overthrows Burkina Faso

The wait was long. Almost half a century without organizing an African Cup of Nations on its territory. But after three years of delay, Cameroon finally launches “its” CAN at the Olembé stadium in Yaoundé against Burkina Faso. The Indomitable Lions then kick off this opening match and immediately obtain a good free kick, after a nasty foul by Steeve Yago (1^e) sanctioned with a yellow card. The set piece does nothing, but Cameroon is already announcing the color.

The first opportunity of this meeting is also for the men of António Conceição with the attempt of Vincent Aboubakar. Well served near the surface, the Cameroonian striker ideally controls to turn around before hitting in the axis and hitting … out of the frame of Hervé Koffi (8^e). Moments later, the Burkinabé goalkeeper ventured far from his goal to intervene on a long recovery from his Cameroonian counterpart. But Hervé Koffi was eliminated by Karl Toko Ekambi who, pushed into the right corner, failed to straighten his center (10^e). The situations multiply.

Quarter of an hour of play, the Indomitable Lions focus on the sides and seek to rule out the game. But failing to achieve its domination (60%), Cameroon will end up being punished. At the end of a triple situation in Burkina Faso, Gustavo Sangaré is perfectly served by Bertrand Traoré at the far post. Onana completely missed his exit and the Quevilly-Rouen striker (L2) signed a perfect flat with his foot in empty cages (24^e, 0-1). Cameroonians are punished for their lack of accuracy.

An opening of the score that shower the enthusiasm of fans of the Indomitable Lions. Somewhat defeated, Cameroon lacks the edge to make a difference. But António Conceição’s men will be rewarded for their efforts. Zambo Anguissa is mowed down in the penalty area by Burkinabe captain Bertrand Traoré. After consulting the VAR, Mustapha Ghorbal, the experienced Algerian referee of this match, designated the penalty point. Vincent Aboubakar then comes face to face with Hervé Koffi who, with a perfect opposite footing, offers the equalizer in Cameroon (40^e, 1-1). The Olembé stadium is exulting and the Lions are relaunching this match.

And while the two teams give in blow for blow at the end of the first period, the Lions will again get a penalty. Launched at full speed on the left side, Nouhou Tolo entered the box before suffering the slipped tackle from Issoufou Dayo, completely taken in speed. The left side of the Seattle Sounders collapses and Mustapha Ghorbal points to the penalty point a second time. Here again, Vincent Aboubakar is illustrated with a perfect opposite (2-1, 45^e+3). Cameroon overthrows Burkina Faso just before the break.

Upon returning from the locker room, no change can be reported and Burkina Faso is kicking off this second act. The Burkinabés carry the ball forward and, faced with the pressure imposed by Kamou Malo’s men, Cameroon retreats. André Onana, the Cameroonian goalkeeper, is even forced to illustrate himself with a decisive reflex stop. Glued to the goal exit line on the right Bertrand Traoré shoots hard at ground level in the direction of the goal. The ball returns to Adama Guira, after a block from Jérôme Onguéné, who strikes from close range. On her line, Onana pushes back the Burkinabé shot with a firm hand (55^e). Hot shot in Yaoundé!

However, Cameroon is close to making the break. Outnumbered, the Indomitable Lions lead a backlash after a missed strike from Traoré and pushed back. Vincent Aboubakar then shifts Moumi Ngamaleu to the right, who enters the box and crosses his shot. Hervé Koffi pushes back, in the feet of Aboubakar who counter in the goal (59^e). However, the captain does not celebrate his hat-trick as the goal is denied for an offside position from Ngamaleu upstream.

We must finally wait for the 69^e minute of play to see the first changes in this meeting. On the Cameroonian side, Karl Toko Ekambi and Emmanuel Kundé are respectively replaced by Clinton Njie (69^e) and Éric-Maxim Choupo-Moting (69^e). A few moments later, Firmin Sanou in turn operates coaching with inputs from Mohamed Konaté instead of Edmond Tapsoba (71^e), and from Yaya Sanogo to that of Cyrille Bayala (71^e).

At the end of the match, Cameroon tries to take a break to further improve its entry into the African Cup of Nations. But the Indomitable Lions fail to find their way back. For its part, Burkina Faso does not manage to put the foot on the ball and accepts to undergo. Despite five minutes of added time, the score remains there. Cameroon wins the opening match of CAN 2022 and temporarily takes the lead of their group A, pending the meeting between Ethiopia and Cape Verde.

Source: lepoint