Cameroon are by draw of to the semi-finals of their Africa Cup of Countries after Karl Toko-Ekambi’s double fired them to a 2-0 resolve over Gambia on Saturday within the hosts’ first game on the match for the reason that lethal crush in Yaounde.
French-born Lyon striker Toko-Ekambi scored two objectives within the home of eight minutes before every thing of the 2nd half of, ensuing in scenes of happy social gathering in Douala.
His objectives like been correct reward for Cameroon, who fully dominated in opposition to a Gambian facet exhibiting in their first ever Cup of Countries.
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“They sat assist and made it sophisticated for us and their goalkeeper made some substantial saves within the first half of nonetheless we came assist out within the 2nd half of, obtained the objectives and observed it out, and now we are proud to be within the semi-finals,” acknowledged Toko-Ekambi.
Cameroon march on to a final-four showdown with Egypt or Morocco as they proceed their quest for a sixth continental title, whereas reaching the quarter-finals became once an unparalleled performance for Gambia.
“We misplaced as of late in opposition to the recent champion of Africa,” acknowledged their coach, Tom Saintfiet.
“We hope to soar assist in future AFCONS. We learned lots and we would possibly presumably perhaps be stronger at some point soon.”
The host nation’s first and handiest talk to to the nation’s financial capital within the match supposed there became once continuously going to be a frenzied ambiance on this chaotic metropolis as followers descended on the 50,000-capacity Japoma Stadium.
The Indomitable Lions had now no longer taken to the self-discipline since Monday’s tragic crush earlier than their game in opposition to the Comoros in Yaounde, a pain which left eight tiring and 38 injured.
Security stepped up
Authorities here massively stepped up their security operation around the ground in an strive to dwell away from any repeat.
Military officers with rifles stood atop structures lining the path to the stadium whereas huge numbers of police patrolled the streets and watched over entrances.
On the eve of the game Cameroon’s sports actions minister launched a raft of measures aimed at warding off a repeat of the Olembe pain.
Those incorporated stopping the distribution of free tickets and banning early life underneath 11 from attending video games.
The minister also instructed supporters to arrive earlier, and the gates at Japoma opened five hours earlier than kick-off.
That supposed the deafening noise of vuvuzelas filled the air smartly sooner than the Cameroon team arrived, dancing their manner from the bus to the altering room, and handiest stopped momentarily for the silence in memory of the crush victims.
Coronavirus restrictions keep in space for the AFCON like restricted crowds to a most of 60 p.c of capacity nonetheless that’s raised to 80 p.c when the host nation play, and the legitimate attendance here became once 36,259.
Cameroon like been the overwhelming favourites in opposition to puny Gambia, even supposing Toni Conceicao’s facet had laboured to beat the Comoros, one other AFCON debutant and who like been forced to play an outfield participant in purpose.
There can even need been some doubts within the home camp at half of-time after they fully bossed the first 45 minutes with out getting the leap forward.
Vincent Aboubakar, the Cameroon captain and the match’s high scorer, sent one header correct vast rapidly after the half of-hour designate and then observed one other strive from level-smooth range swatted away by Gambian goalkeeper Baboucarr Gaye.
But the gap purpose came correct five minutes into the 2nd half of, the shapely correct-assist Collins Fai crossing and Toko-Ekambi nodding down into the a ways nook.
Out came the vuvuzelas, and the crew like been on their feet again on 57 minutes because the impressive Martin Hongla sent a low ball across purpose for Toko-Ekambi to enact emphatically for his fifth purpose at this AFCON.
Aboubakar, with six, is the handiest participant with extra and together they like scored all of Cameroon’s objectives up to now.
Pending affirmation from the Confederation of African Soccer, Cameroon are truly due to the arrive to Olembe for their semi-closing on Thursday, and presumably for the closing subsequent Sunday too.
AFP
