AFCON 2021 : Aboubakar brace seals Cameroon comeback win over Burkina Faso in opener
Two penalties from Skipper Vincent Abouk saw hosts Cameroon prevail over resilient Stallions of Burkina Faso as the first major football tournament in 2022 kicked off on Sunday at the totally new Olembe Stadium, Yaoundé.
The Indomitable Lions came from behind to beat Burkina Faso 2-1 to keep their hopes for a sixth African Cup of Nations (AFCON) title alive.
Burkina Faso took the lead with an incredible Gustavo Sangare’s ferocious volley after 24 minutes in the first half following a defensive howler in the Cameroon box.
The Burkinabes lead was truncated 12 minutes later after Traore brought down André Anguissa in the box for a Cameroonian penalty.
Captain Vincent Aboubakar calmly converted from the spot an equaliser sending Burkina Faso’s goalkeeper Koffi the wrong way to get his side into the game with wild celebrations at the sold out new Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé on Sunday.
Aboubakar dispatched another flawless penalty on the stroke of half time when Fai Collins was fouled by Dayo in the area turning the game around for the hosts before the break.
Cameroon’s stopper Onana made two crucial second-half saves as Toni Conceicao’s side opened their Group A campaign with victory.
The victory saw Cameroon at the top of Group A ahead of the second match where Ethiopia took on Cape Verde.
Opening Ceremony
The game was preceeded by stunning and colourful scenes that characterised a beautiful night of opening ceremony at a newly built Olembe Stadium, Yaoundé.
