- Cameroon beat Gambia 3-2
- They finished second in their group
- Senegal finished top of the table
Cameroon edged out Gambia 3-2 in a thrilling duel to squeeze into the round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations. Christopher Wooh scored a 91st minute winner as the Indomitable Lions roared in one of the most dramatic matches at the Cup of Nations.
The victory saw Cameroon move to second spot in Group B and earn an automatic spot in the knockout phase, edging out Guinea on goal difference as both finished with four points.
In a dramatic duel, Gambia had fought from a goal down to lead 2-1 after 85 minutes, but an own goal from James Gomez and Wooh’s winner saw the Indomitable Lions turn the tables and win the duel to progress.
VAR had to come to their rescue in the 93rd minute, cancelling out Muhammed Sanneh’s goal as he had directed the ball into the net with his hand from a corner.
Coming into the match, both teams were in a must win situation. Cameroon had a point while Gambia had none but a win would have aided them to be one of the best four third placed teams.
Cameroon with pacy first half
Cameroon players ecstatic after getting qualification. PHOTO/CAF
The first half was pacy, chances there but none converted. Frank Magri was denied by the Gambian keeper on one end while on the other, Fabrice Ondoa had to make a brilliant stop to save a shot from Ali Sowe.
In the second half, Cameroon started with pace and Georges-Kevin Nkoudou was denied by the bar after he controlled the ball unmarked on the left and rifled on target.
Minutes later, he provided the assist for Karl Toko Ekambi to score. The striker floated in a wonderful cross from the left, Ekambi peeling away from his marker and heading past the keeper.
But, Cameroon were stunned in the 72nd minute when Ablie Jalow scored with a volley inside the box unmarked a cross from the left giving him an edge over the backline.
Cameroon’s hopes seemed all but dashed when Ebrima Colley scored the second five minutes to time off a counter attack, Cameroon punished for losing possession cheaply.
But, the Indomitable Lions didn’t give up their fight. They levelled when Gomez directed the ball into his own net trying to cut out a cross from the right.
With only a goal needed to send them into the round of 16, they were rewarded in added time when Wooh headed home from a corner.
Senegal complete group stage with 100pc record
Senegal players celebrate their win over Guinea. PHOTO/CAF
Defending champions Senegal have completed the group stages with a 100 percent record after a well earned 2-0 victory over Guinea in Yamoussoukro.
Goals in the second half from Abdoulaye Seck and Ilman Ndiaye handed the Lions of Teranga three vital points to go to nine. They have scored eight goals and conceded only once in their three group stage matches.
The opening half was tense, sometimes physical, with chances not being as much. In the second half though, Senegal stepped up the tempo and should have been one up in the 56th minute when Mane stole the ball off a defender, rounded the keeper but his final shot was well wide.
His blushes were however wiped five minutes later when Seck powered home a header from Krepin Diatta’s freekick.
Senegal dominated the game and didn’t give Guinea any spaces to operate. They doubled their lead at the stroke of 90 minutes when Ndiaye shot low past the keeper after being put through with a delightful pass by Sadio Mane.
Guinea finished third in the group, but can still manage to progress into the round of 16 as one of the best placed number three teams.
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