Ex-PSL Coach Leads Gambia To Last 8, Cameroon Edge Comoros!
25 January, 2022
Cameroon 2-1 Comoros
Hosts Cameroon booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations after edging ten-man Comoros 2-1 on Monday evening.
The Indomitable Lions recalled Bayern Munich forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, while Covid-19 hit Comoros were without a recognised goalkeeper, with defender Chaker Alhadhur given the gloves between the sticks.
Comoros got off to a horrible start as they were reduced to ten men in just the seventh minute after Nadjim Abdou was red-carded for a bad tackle after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review.
Cameroon gained the upper hand and Olympique Lyonnais forward Karl Toko Ekambi eventually broke the deadlock for the host country just before the half-hour mark with a strike into the bottom corner after he was teed up by Aboubakar in the box.
Comoros responded with their own attacks a couple of minutes later, forcing Ajax Amsterdam goalkeeper Andre Onana to make two good saves in quick succession.
Toni Conceicao's charges were creating chances coming from the half-time break, with Aboubakar twice denied by Alhadhur, who was keeping the Indian Ocean islanders in the game.
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The Portuguese tactician made a double attacking change just after the hour-mark, bringing on Christian Bassogog and Clinton N'jie in places of Nicolas Ngamaleu and Choupo-Moting.The changes seemed to have desired impact for Cameroon, as Aboubakar doubled their lead 20 minutes before time with a close-range finish after a through ball by Martin Hongla.
Comoros were not dropping down their heads, as Youssouf M'Changama eventually pulled a goal back for Comoros nine minutes before time with a sensational free-kick into the top corner.
Hongla almost sealed the deal for Cameroon in stoppages with a looping strike that produced a reflex save from Alhandur, but the Indomitable Lions had done just enough to book a spot in the quarter-finals.
Result: Guinea 0-1 Gambia
Gambia's fairytale Africa Cup of Nations campaign continued after booking a spot in the quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Guinea on Monday night.
The Syli National were without Liverpool star midfielder Naby Keita due to suspension, while Gambia's attack was led by three strikers, Bologna's Musa Barrow, Belgium-based Ablie Jallow and South Korea-based Modou Barrow.
The Scorpions were forceful in the opening exchanges and Musa Barrow gave Guinea a scare in the 12th minute with a pile-driver on the edge of the box that was parried away by goalkeeper Aly Keita.
Guinea had a big chance eight minutes before the half-time break from a counter-attack after Mohamed Bayo was released through on goal by Diawara but his strike in the box was saved by shot-stopper Baboucarr Gaye from point-blank range.
As the game was opening up, Ebrima Darboe came close to breaking the deadlock for Tom Saintfiet's charges on the stroke of half-time with a low strike across goal that missed the bottom corner by a whisker.
Gambia were limited to wild long range efforts in the second half but they broke the deadlock 19 minutes before time after Musa Barrow went through on goal in the box from a counter-attack and guided a low strike into the bottom corner.
Guinea thought they had found the equaliser five minutes later after Ibrahima Conte finished off Jose Kante's cross at the back post but the goal was disallowed for offside.
The Scorpions were reduce to ten men three minutes before full-time time after Yusupha Njie got a second booking for catching Conte with an elbow.
The Syli National were denied by the post twice in the dying minutes and had Conte sent off for a second booking, as Gambia held on to reach the quarter-finals for the first time.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za