In a thrilling encounter at the AFCON 2024 finals in Ivory Coast, Cameroon fought back to secure a 1-1 draw against Guinea. Despite being without goalkeeper Andre Onana, the Indomitable Lions displayed resilience, capitalizing on Guinea’s 10-man squad after captain Francois Kamano was sent off. Franck Magri’s second-half equalizer salvaged a point for Cameroon, leveling the score after Mohamed Bayo had given Guinea an early lead. The match at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium unfolded alongside Senegal’s dominant 3-0 victory over Gambia in the opening Group C game.
Cameroon faced defensive woes early in the game when a lapse in concentration allowed Guinea’s Bayo to capitalize on a goalkeeping error and put his side in front. Despite missed opportunities for a quick equalizer, Cameroon’s chances improved when Kamano received a red card for a challenge on Magri just before halftime.
The turning point came as the referee, guided by VAR, reviewed the initial yellow card and upgraded it to a red, giving Cameroon a numerical advantage. The Indomitable Lions seized control in the second half, and Magri’s header from a cross by Georges-Kevin Nkoudou in the 51st minute secured the equalizer. Although Cameroon pressed for a late winner, Guinea’s goalkeeper Ibrahim Kone made a crucial save to deny Karl Toko Ekambi.
Cameroon’s defensive struggles were evident in the opening minutes, as they failed to clear the ball despite two chances following Ondoa’s initial save. The lapse allowed Bayo to capitalize on the chaos, netting a close-range finish.
The absence of key players added to Cameroon’s challenges, with Vincent Aboubakar sidelined due to injury, and Onana arriving late after featuring for Manchester United in a Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur. Guinea, too, faced setbacks, as Serhou Guirassy, a pivotal striker with 17 goals for VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga, and skipper Naby Keita were unavailable due to injuries and tactical decisions.
Despite Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa missing a golden opportunity for an early equalizer, Cameroon gained a significant advantage when Kamano’s red card reduced Guinea to 10 men. The numerical superiority allowed Cameroon to dominate the second half, and Magri’s well-timed header showcased their ability to capitalize on set-piece opportunities.
While Cameroon aimed for a late victory, Kone’s outstanding save denied Ekambi, ensuring the match concluded in a hard-fought 1-1 draw. The result sets the stage for an intriguing Group C contest in AFCON 2024, with both Cameroon and Guinea seeking to advance in the prestigious tournament.
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By- Sahiba Suri