Cameroon, five-time champions, faced a draw against a 10-man Guinea team, adding to the unexpected outcomes in the initial phases of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Guinea, ranked 80th globally, posed a genuine upset threat as Mohamed Bayo swiftly propelled them into an early lead. However, their challenge became more daunting when skipper Francois Kamano received a red card for stomping on Frank Magri’s heel, leaving them with 10 players throughout the entire second half.
Magri capitalized on a cross from Georges-Kevin Nkoudou to level the score for Cameroon, but Guinea resiliently held on, securing a well-deserved point.
Despite the Indomitable Lions making a late bid for victory, Guinea’s goalkeeper Ibrahim Kone thwarted Karl Toko Ekambi’s attempt, ensuring the match concluded with honors shared.
The draw implies that both teams have substantial work ahead to secure qualification for the knockout stages. Meanwhile, defending champions Senegal lead Group C following their comfortable 3-0 win over The Gambia earlier on Monday.
This result adds to the list of unexpected outcomes at the tournament in Ivory Coast, following Ghana’s upset by Cape Verde on Sunday, along with Egypt and Nigeria being held to draws by Mozambique and Equatorial Guinea, respectively.
Cameroon miss Aboubakar more than Onana
At the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro, Cameroon found themselves without two key players, injured captain and striker Vincent Aboubakar, as well as goalkeeper Andre Onana, who delayed his arrival at the competition to participate in Manchester United’s Premier League match against Tottenham on Sunday.
Nevertheless, Onana’s replacement, Fabrice Ondoa, had minimal involvement throughout the game.
Ondoa made an initial save from Mohamed Bayo in the lead-up to Guinea’s opening goal, but the striker managed to nutmeg him on the second attempt after Olivier Kemen failed to clear the danger.
The absence of Aboubakar, the 2021 Afcon Golden Boot winner with eight goals, was particularly felt as Cameroon struggled to create significant challenges for Guinea’s goalkeeper Ibrahim Kone.
Despite Guinea’s numerical disadvantage following Kamano’s red card, they managed to equalize with a well-executed play involving Georges-Kevin Nkoudou’s precise cross and Frank Magri’s header.
However, apart from Karl Toko Ekambi’s late attempt, Cameroon had only one other shot on target. As they now face a crucial second group match against Senegal on Friday, a defeat they can scarcely afford, the absence of Aboubakar becomes even more evident.
Guinea faced the setback of missing their key player, Serhou Guirassy, due to a thigh injury. Guirassy, the Bundesliga’s second-highest scorer this season after Harry Kane, was sidelined. However, Guinea adapted more effectively to his absence compared to how Cameroon struggled without Aboubakar. Mouctar Diakhaby was unfortunate to see an early header go over before Bayo’s opening goal.
Sekou Sylla nearly executed a lob from 40 yards, and despite the red card limiting their attacking options in the second half, Guinea remains optimistic about their chances of progressing. Their next match against The Gambia on Friday offers an opportunity for further advancement.