Izuchukwu Okosi
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The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon booked their passage to the semi final stage at the on-going TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations 2021 after a 2-0 defeat to The Gambia.
Five-time kings Cameroon triumphed over Gambia Saturday evening at the Japoma Stadium in Douala, Cameroon.
After a goalless first half, the five-time AFCON winners Cameroon returned charged and determined to get the goals.
The tournament’s leading scorer Vincent Aboubakar and Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu had their shots blocked for Cameroon, while Gambia’s James Gomez also had his attempts stopped in the first half.
But it was Karl Toko Ekambi who netted a brace early in the second half to make sure the Indomitable Lions roar into the semi final stage.
Ekambi made it 1-0 after 50 minutes with a well timed header. The Gambian defenders failed to react quickly to stop Ngran Suiru Fai Collins from crossing the ball for Ekambi to score.
The Gambian technical bench replaced star player Modou Barrow with Pa Modou Jagne after 55 minutes, but the Indomitable Lions instead pushed forward and made it 2-0 after 57 minutes. Ekambi again gave the Gambian goalkeeper Baboucarr Gaye no chance.
Cameroon continued to dominate play in the midfield and on the wings causing problems for the Gambian team.
Coach António Conceição da Silva Oliveira’s Cameroon team will now wait to face the winner between Egypt and Morocco at the semi final strge stage. The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon remain in line chasing for a sixth AFCON title.
In the second Dango Aboubacar Ouattara’s goal on the stroke of halftime was enough for Burkina Faso to beat Nigeria’s nemesis, Tunisia 1-0 and progress to the semifinals of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon 2021.
Dango Ouattara who was sent off in the closing stages scored on the stroke of halftime to give Kamou Malo’s side the victory against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
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