CAN 2022: Cameroon snatches 3rd place against Burkina Faso

Vincent Aboubakar, scorer with Cameroon against Burkina Faso, in a match for third place in CAN 2022. © FMM/Pierre René-Worms

Text by: David Kalfa Follow

2 mins

The Cameroon team snatched 3rd place in its African Cup of Nations (CAN 2022), this February 5 in Yaoundé, despite a catastrophic start to the "little final" against Burkina Faso.

The Cameroonians were down 3-0 before coming back to 3-3 and finishing on the podium after the penalty shootout (5-3).

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Raise your head, save honor… Clichés widely used before a match for 3rd place but which took on their full meaning, this Saturday February 5 in Yaoundé.

In a Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium far from being full, the Cameroonians, still

, indeed ended their African Cup of Nations (CAN 2022) at home on a good note.

And yet it was off to a bad start against Burkinabè, whom they had beaten 2-1 in the opening match of this

.

Hyper-realistic Burkinabè

Because the Stallions have shown an insolent realism.

First on the opener from Steeve Yago, just after a dangerous double chance from opposing midfielder Jean Onana (18th, 22nd).

Served at the far post by Issa Kaboré, the side score with a difficult tackle (1-0, 24th).

Then, shortly before the break, on a new tense cross from Kaboré, the yet reputedly reliable André Onana scored against his side.

The goalkeeper tries to grab the ball but lets it bounce against his chest before it crosses the line (2-0, 43').

The Cameroonians leave the lawn under the boos of their few supporters.

At the break, their coach Toni Conceiçao brought in the captain and top scorer of the competition, Vincent Aboubakar, as well as Moumi Ngamaleu (46th).

But the Lions, who evolve tonight almost with their B team, do not even have time to perceive the effects of this double change.

In the 49th minute, on a well-worked cross from Bertrand Traoré, Djibril Ouattara took the ball with a diving header: 3-0.

Stupor…

Cameroonian wind of revolt

Toni Conceiçao persists however and launches Karl Toko Ekambi.

By dint of insisting and pushing, Stéphane Bahoken reduced the score by a half-volley, after a mess in the Burkinabè area (3-1, 73rd).

Dangerous actions in favor of Cameroon are now linked at a steady pace.

In the 85th minute, Aboubakar scored his seventh goal in this competition by taking a header, a corner: 3-2.

The spectators begin to vibrate.

They exploded with joy when in the 87th minute, Aboubakar took advantage of a poor outing by goalkeeper Farid Ouédraogo, who crashed into Soumaila Ouattara, to equalize: 3-3.

A wind of revolt is blowing and luck has turned.

During the penalty shootout [1], Blati Touré, excellent during this CAN 2022, misses his attempt for Burkina Faso.

Ambroise Oyongo, he does not miss the one that allows Cameroon to remove the piece and finish the tournament with panache.

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