The only team in the tournament to score more than one goal per game, the hosts have assumed their status as favourites.

With 6 points, they are sure to be among the top two in their group or at worst among the four best runners-up.

They also have a leader with their captain "Abou", very wide top scorer in the competition (4 goals), his double on Thursday (53rd, 55th) completing his two penalties against Burkina-Faso (2-1) in match opening.

The Indomitable Lions can also always rely on the "hemle", the Cameroonian grinta, like this huge comeback from Aboubakar to stop an Ethiopian counter which started four against two (39th)!

The "capi" was at the four corners of the field.

But their defense is largely perfectible, and we must take into account, to judge their performance, the candor of the opponent, like Aschalew Seyoum with his nose in the grass after the hook of Toko-Ekambi on the fourth goal (67th).

Another double for Aboubakar

The Paul Biya stadium in Olembé was very sparsely filled on Wednesday to see this show, a rarity for an organizing country.

Worse, the atmosphere at the CAN could become heavier after an exchange of fire in Limbé-Buea between English-speaking western separatists and soldiers on Wednesday.

In terms of play, the Indomitable Lions still had to go up the score, as against Burkina.

Captain Vincent Aboubakar scores Cameroon's second goal against Ethiopia in CAN group A in Yaoundé, January 13, 2022 Kenzo Tribouillard AFP

Their defense exposes itself too much, with its two very attacking full-backs, Collins Fai and Tolo Nouhou.

The "Walya" took advantage of it, on a good cross from Amanuel Gebremichael for Dawa Dukele, who also wasted a huge ball 2-1 (24th).

But Cameroon reacted immediately with Aboubakar.

His heavy shot was repelled by goalkeeper Teklemariam Shanko at the feet of Collins Fai, and the cross found Toko-Ekambi at the far post (8th).

Then "Abou" widened the gap in two minutes, receiving a good cross from Fai then at the conclusion of a nice triangle initiated by Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting and Nicolas Ngamaleu.

At 3-1, the Ethiopian team had neither sail nor oar.

He still has one last match against Burkina Faso to aim for a very hypothetical qualification.

Toni Conceiçao's men had other chances, with these shots on the post by Toko-Ekambi (39th) or Frank Anguissa (71st) or Collins Fai (90th).

The lesson was already enough for Ethiopia.

© 2022 AFP