The Indomitable Lions fell on a bone. Cameroon could only manage a draw against a valiant Guinea (1-1) who could have even hoped for better had it not been for the sending off of their captain François Kamano. In the "group of death" with the letter "C", Senegal take the lead after their slap inflicted on Gambia (3-0).
After the Lions of Teranga, it was the reputedly indomitable Lions who took to the arena of Yamoussoukro in a French-speaking clash against Guinea. And the supporters of the Syli National came in large numbers, armed with drums, to cheer on their team after largely supporting Senegal in the first match.
Against a Cameroon that has lacked certainty for several months, Guinea got into the game well. It took only 10 minutes for Mohamed Bayo to find the breakthrough, beating Fabrice Ondoa with a cross-shot shot. The Nîmes goalkeeper was chosen in goal to replace Andre Onana, who only arrived overnight after being retained by his club Manchester United.
HALF TIME!
Mohamed Bayo's shot put Guinea ahead in the first half. 🇬🇳 #CMRGUI | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/9TJpsOiHru
— CAF - EN (@caf_online_FR) January 15, 2024
Cameroon is forced to react. Nkoudou sounded the revolt: his pass for Zambo Anguissa was badly negotiated by the Neapolitan (13′) while he himself was too short to take a cross from Magri (26′). Without their iconic Vincent Aboubakar, injured in training, the Indomitable Lions are uninspired.
At the other end, Guinea reveled in their lead and were amused by it: full-back Sylla even tried a lob from distance when he saw Ondoa slightly advanced (30′).
Red card for Kamano
Well in place, it does more than resist the onslaught of the five-time African champions. But a red card reshuffled the cards: after a nasty tackle on Magri in the centre circle, captain François Kamano was sent off just before half-time.
Back from the locker room, the Syli national was well at work. On a quick transition, the Guineans found themselves three against two. But Guilavogui, shifted to the right, procrastinated (49′). He could bite his fingers: Cameroon equalised in the process. Georges-Kévin Nkoudou sent a pinpoint cross to the far post for Franck Magri. The Toulouse striker got the better of Sylla and headed home (51′, 1-1).
51' François Magri who redeems himself for his miss in the first half with the equalizer for Cameroon at the start of the second half 1-1! #CAMGUI #CAN2023 pic.twitter.com/RNCtPnqUPK
— Dounia Mesli (@Mesli_Dounia) January 15, 2024
Reduced to 10 men, Guinea played on the counter attack to the fullest. And his supporters were enraged when Harold Moukoudi was only shown a yellow card after a very late tackle that annihilated a lightning counter-attack by Syli (62').
Cameroon settled into the Guinean half but looked very clumsy when it came to finishing, as evidenced by Ntcham's attempt (67'). A sterile domination that enraged Samuel Eto'o, the Cameroonian legend now president of Fecafoot, in the stands. Koné saved his side from a vicious shot from Karl Toko Ekambi in the final minutes (88').
Read alsoFind the standings of Group C
Valiant until the end, Guinea resisted with their hearts and snatched the point from the draw with their teeth. A first point that could make all the difference in Group C. Cameroon, on the other hand, could find themselves in an uncomfortable situation if they lose Friday's clash with Senegal, the current group leaders.
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