Cameroon beat Ethiopia in AFCON
Captain Vincent Aboubakar and strike partner Karl Toko Ekambi scored a brace each as Cameroon registered the biggest victory after they beat Ethiopia so far in the AFCON, beating Ethiopia 4-1 to storm into the Round of 16.
The victory, following up the Indomitable Lions’ opening day 2-1 win over Burkina Faso takes them to six points after two games, and the last match against Cape Verde will be important to see them finish top of the group.
Cameroon found themselves trailing for the second consecutive time when Dawa Hotessa gave Ethiopia a fourth-minute lead before Ekambi equalized four minutes later.
The Walia Ibex got into a dream start after just four minutes when Hotessa side-footed the ball home from close range after being picked out by a low cross from Manuel Gebremichael.
But, the dream start only lasted four minutes as some poor marking in the backline saw Cameroon draw level. Ekambi managed to sneak in between the two central defenders and headed home a well diced cross from Fai Collins.
Ethiopia were however not rattled despite their lead being wiped off as they gave Cameroon a run for their money and played with lots of confidence.
Impressive youngster Abubeker Nasir had a chance at goal in the 21st minute but the effort was just wide. They were close again in the 23rd minute off a counter attack with Gebremichael breaking away on the right.
His eventual shot was blocked by keeper Andre Onana while Hotessa could not do much with the rebound which fell at his feet.
Cameroon read the signs and knew they were living dangerously. Towards the end of the half, they equally lifted the tempo and they came inches close in the 39th minute but Ekambi’s towering header came off the crossbar.
On the other end at the stroke of halftime, Onana had to make an uncomfortable save when Surafel Mengitsu’s dipping shot from distance seemed to cause problems, but the keeper punched the ball away.
Ethiopia went to the break on level terms and with confidence that they were within reach of causing the first upset of the tournament.
However, they collapsed in the second half.
Seven minutes after the restart, Cameroon went 2-1 up when Abubakar scored his first of the afternoon with a powerful header inside the box from another of Fai Collins’ deliveries.
Two minutes later Cameroon had control of the game with the third goal, Abubakar doubling his tally with a beautiful team goal. The skipper slid in at the near post to direct a Moumi Ngamaleu cross into the net after a beautiful pass from Maxim Choupo Moting slit the defense by half.
The goal added some energy into the Cameroonian side and Ekambi had a go at goal with a shot from distance which was saved by the keeper.
He however got his second in the 67th minute with a brilliant left footed shot. The striker picked the ball on the right from a well weighted Zambo Anguissa pass before taking two defenders out with a dummy and slamming the ball into the bottom right.
Roared on by the few home fans who had been admitted into the stadium off tough COVID protocols, Cameroon were dreaming of a super performance.
In the 70th minute, Anguissa was denied a goal by the upright after being put through by Aboubakar.
With the game seemingly in safe hands, Cameroon coach Toni Conceicao made changes, pulling out most of his star players including the two goal scorers to rest them for more matches ahead.
Cameroon will finish their Group A campaign against Cape Verde on Monday while Ethiopia must beat Burkina Faso same day to have at least a mathematical chance of making it into the last 16.
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