AFCON Last 16: Cameroon survive 10-man Comoros scare,Gambia edge Guinea into quarters

Cameroon recorded a 2-1 victory against a plucky 10-man Comoros side in a knife-edge encounter that saw the host nation make it through to the quarter finals of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021.

The debutants had a difficult start against the Cameroon when captain Nadjim Abdou was sent off after 7 minutes for a foul on Moumi Ngamaleu.

Comoros stood firm and really showed they were no easy-pushovers despite a courageous performance from their depleted opponents, Cameroon.

Comoros held out for almost half an hour without conceding.

But the persistant hosts finally opened the scoring when Karl Toko Ekambi lashed into the far corner, leaving Alhadhur stranded, but almost ceded the lead minutes later when Andre Onana was forced to make a fantastic double save to keep out Ahmed Mogni and Mohamed Youssouf.

Comoros started the game with an outfield player in goal, with first-choice goalkeeper Salim Ben Boina injured in their shock win against Ghana and back-ups Moyadh Ousseini and Ali Ahamada subsequently testing positive for Covid.

Chaker Alhadhur was given the nod, with the Ajaccio left-back looking understandably nervous in his bright blue goalkeeping kit as the anthems rang round the Olembe Stadium.

The Indomitable Lions shot into the lead just before the half hour mark with a neat finish inside the area.

Captain Vincent Aboubakar doubled their advantage 20 minutes from time before Comoros captain Youssouf M’Changama pulled a goal back from free kick.

Gambia beat Guinea to storm quarterfinals in historic fete

Gambia made it through to the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations beating Guinea by a lone goal at the Stade Omnisports de Bafoussam on Monday.

Musa Barrow’s strike in the second half gave Gambia a historic 1-0 win over Guinea to qualify for the quarterfinals of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations.

Guinea made some reflections to put to parity but the absence of their influential skipper Naby Keita who is serving a suspension really affected their performance.

The Scorpions however continue to send shockwaves in their debut appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations and are without a loss in the competition so far.

The Gambia will now face hosts Cameroon in the last eight on Saturday.