2024-01-16 04:17:03
False start for the Indomitable Lions. Third in the last African Cup of Nations, the Cameroonians got off to a bad start this 2024 edition by conceding a draw against Guinea this Monday (1-1). The Guinean striker from Le Havre Mohamed Bayo and the Cameroonian from Toulouse Frank Magri were the scorers in this disputed meeting, once again, in front of surprisingly empty stands.
Despite their outsider status, it was the Guineas who struck first. Launched deep in the 11th minute, the former Clermontois first failed against Fabrice Ondoa, the Cameroonian goalkeeper. But Olivier Kemen, recovering, was unable to clear the ball. Under pressure from the Guineans, the midfielder missed his back pass, which ended up at the feet of Mohamed Bayo. He did not hesitate to deceive Ondoa by slipping the ball between his legs.
Frank Magri’s helmet strike to equalize
The Cameroonians tried to react directly but the header of Frank Anguissa, alone in front of the goalkeeper following a magnificent free kick from Georges-Kévin N’Koudou, failed a few centimeters from the goal. In stoppage time in the first period, the Indomitable Lions regained hope by taking advantage of the Guineans’ misfortune. In the duel with Frank Magri, François Kamano stepped on the heel of the Toulouse striker, who collapsed. Called by the VAR after awarding a yellow card to the winger, the referee finally revised his decision and issued a red card.
The Cameroonians did not fail to take advantage at the start of the second period. Perfectly served at the far post by Georges-Kévin N’Koudou, Frank Magri placed a magnificent header which deceived Ibrahim Koné. Well installed in the stands and unhappy with the performance of his team so far, Samuel Eto’o, legend of the Indomitable Lions, regained hope, like the entire team of Rigobert Song.
The Greens and Reds, however, never managed to find the opening. Despite increasingly offensive changes, the Cameroonians came up against a solid Guinean defense, determined to snatch a precious point despite being numerically inferior. A final opportunity in the 88th still gave them a nice cold sweat but Ibrahim Koné was watching and intervened in two stages. A final stop which therefore offered a draw to Sily National, still largely in the race towards qualification for the round of 16.
Cameroon will face Senegal on Friday while Guinea will face Gambia.
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