AFCON 2023: 10-Man Guinea Holds Cameroon
In a tense encounter at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro, Guinea and Cameroon played out a 1-1 draw in the second Group C match of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), tagged Côte d’Ivoire 2023.
Five-time champions Cameroon started with Karl Toko Ekambi in attack, with Frank Magri and Georges-Kevin N’Koudou supporting on the wings. Striker Mohamed Bayo featured up-front for Guinea while captain Francois Kamano and Morgan Guilavogui were on the flanks.
Here’s how Cameroon & Guinea are showing up for their first game of the tournament! #CMRGIN | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/gs2LCdcYPK
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 15, 2024
Cameroon were the favourites going into the encounter, but it was Guinea who took an early lead through striker Bayo after a brilliant piece of play.
Bayo was given all the space and time in the world and gleefully pounced on a loose ball inside the penalty box beyond the reach of goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa, putting Guinea in the lead against Cameroon.
Guinea captain, Francois Kamano was then sent off after fouling Cameroonian midfielder Olivier Ntcham inside the box in the first half stoppage time. The situation was reviewed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and an initial yellow card was changed to red card by Referee Mutaz Ibrahim.
- Read more: AFCON opener: Senegal beats Gambia 3-0
In the second half, Cameroon were determined to bounce back and took advantage of Ntcham’s absence on the pitch.
The Indomitable Lions got the equaliser six minutes into the second half following Frank Magri’s show of superb aerial ability, pouncing onto a free kick to send the fans in the stadium into a frenzy. 1-1!.
After the equaliser, all efforts by the Indomitable Lions to find the winner was futile as the defence of the Guineans stood firm.
Despite playing most part of the game against 10 men, Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions could only settle for a 1-1 draw against Guinea in Group C at the AFCON 2023.
⌚️ FULL-TIME!
It’s a draw as Cameroon and Guinea share the points after an intense contest. #CMRGUI | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/7WyP7jsdkb
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 15, 2024
In the other game in Group C, reigning champions Senegal defeated Gambia 3-0 thanks to goals from Pape Gueye and Lamine Camara.
Cameroon will next face Senegal on Friday, January 19th at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium. Guinea will take on Gambia on the same day.
Monday’s AFCON results
Senegal 3-0 Gambia
Cameroon 1-1 Guinea
Algeria 1-1 Angola.
