Hosts Cameroon ended Gambia's adventure in their first participation in the African Cup of Nations, winning 2-0 thanks to Karl Toko Ekambi's double in the second half of the quarter-finals on Saturday.
Toko Ekambi scored the two goals in the 50th and 57th minutes, to make Cameroon the first team to qualify for the Nations Cup semi-finals, and is waiting for the winner of the Arab summit between Egypt and Morocco on Sunday.
Gambia's march in its first participation in the Nations Cup was halted after it defeated Tunisia in the group stage, and overcame Guinea in the round of 16.
Gambia relied on the defensive bloc from the beginning, as was the case in its championship career, and went out without conceding in the first half, although Cameroon striker Vincent Abubakar missed a dangerous opportunity in the 36th minute.
Samuel Joye Om sent a cross from the right side to Abu Bakr, the current Nations Cup top scorer with 6 goals, and the Saudi Al-Nasr striker rose and headed the ball strong, but Gambia goalkeeper Babiker Jay saved the attempt brilliantly from close range.
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But after the break, goalkeeper Gaye was unable to prevent a similar attempt from Toko Ekambi with a header after another cross from the right side of his colleague Collins Faye, to lead the hosts with the first goal.
Karl Toko Ekambi surprised the Gambia goalkeeper with a header đ„ # Africa Cup of Nations # Gambia_Cameroon pic.twitter.com/c0DBYmcE4c
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After 7 minutes, Cameroon scored again, but after a cross from the left side of Martin Hongla, Toko Ekambi met it with a powerful shot with his foot from close range, to settle the confrontation and ensure his country continued its quest for the sixth continental title.
Toko Ekambi, Olympique Lyonnais striker, raised his score to 5 goals and ranks second in the tournament's top scorer behind his compatriot Aboubakar.
In the quarter-finals, Tunisia will play Burkina Faso on Saturday, and the winner will play in a semi-final against Senegal or Equatorial Guinea.