Cameroon overthrow Burkina Faso and start their African Cup at home
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Cameroon won the inaugural match of CAN-2022 on Sunday by defeating Burkina Faso in Group A at the Olembé stadium. If the Stallions opened the scoring, the Cameroonians managed to overthrow them before halftime.
The Indomitable Lions are launched. Surprised at the start of the match by Burkina Faso, Cameroon overthrew the opening match of the African Cup of Nations (CAN), Sunday, January 9, thanks to a double from its captain Vincent Aboubakar (2-1), voted man of the match.
Madness took hold of Yaoundé for the start of this CAN that Cameroon has been waiting for since 2014. The various postponements due to delays and the Covid-19 pandemic have in no way altered the enthusiasm of the Indomitable Lions fans who wouldn’t have missed the event for anything in the world.
A successful opening ceremony
It would not have been possible to dream of a better poster for the inauguration of the brand new stadium in Olembe. After an opening ceremony full of colors and energy to the glory of African football, the opening match between the Indomitable Lions and the Burkinabe Stallions, a remake of that of CAN-1998, could begin.
Carried by supporters who came in large numbers, the Indomitable Lions put pressure on their opponents. On the first offensive movement of the Lions, the former Caennais Steeve Yago sends an assassin tackle, logically sanctioned by a yellow card (2nd).
There followed a rough start to the game with strong interventions on both sides of the field. The Indomitable Lions have the game in hand, but lack technical accuracy, like winger Moumi Ngamaleu who sees his corners and crosses easily repelled by the Burkinabe defense.
Led then stunning Lions
Cameroon also lacks rigor in its reminders, multiplying the loss of dangerous balls. And, while they seemed to dominate the Stallions with both feet and hands, the Indomitable Lions concede the opener. On a corner, Burkina gets two huge chances in quick succession. The third is the good one with Gustavo Sangaré, midfielder from Quevilly, who scores with a flat foot (24and,1-1).
At the Olembe stadium, it’s a cold shower. Dejected, the Indomitable Lions take a moment to get back in the direction of travel. It was not until a new corner from Moumi Ngamaleu that the situation was unblocked for the home team: Traoré mowed down Zambo Anguissa in the area. Thanks to the VAR, the referee indicates penalty. Captain Vincent Aboubakar does not need to be asked to equalize (40and, 1-1).
While Tolo is cut by Dayo in the surface (45and+3, 2-1), he doubled the bet a few moments later on a new penalty. The way is not there, but Cameroon are in front at half-time
Vincent Aboubakar, this hero
Led, Burkina Faso let their opponents play the game in the second half. The timorous Stallions look for the flaw on a free kick, like this set piece from Bertrand Traoré that Onana almost missed (47and).
Vincent Aboubakar almost scored a hat-trick, but after long minutes of waiting, his goal was finally disallowed for offside (61and). A few moments later, he forgets to serve his partner, the incoming Éric-Maxim Choupo-Moting, and prefers the strike. It largely misses the mark (77and). The hero of the match leaves shortly after under the ovations of the fans of the Lions.
Solid if not brilliant, his partners hold their first victory in the competition. Enough to take a big step towards the round of 16 and calmly wait for Ethiopia, their next opponent, against Cape Verde in the continuity of this first match.
Relive the match with our liveblog
