The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon have failed to jubilate against a 10 man Guinea side that held them to a 1#1 draw in their match day one group stage.
Guinea's Mohamed Bayo will take goals any way they'll come at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Even if that means converting via one of the most hilarious gaffes likely to be witnessed during this year's tournament. Which begs the question as to whether a player can be officially responsible for assisting on the opponent's behalf.
That was the question Rigobert Song's Cameroon defence will have been asking themselves after laying the ball on a plate for their opening AFCON opponents. And the National Elephants could hardly believe their luck after an early rendition of in-box pinball resulted in a comical goal.
Cameroon's back line was tripping over itself to clear lines - quite literally so as one attempted boot saw Harold Moukoudi crumpled to the turf after clattering a Guinea attacker. Two more Cameroon players then couldn't decide who should take possession on the edge of the area, so a member of the opposition stole in to pilfer the ball in dangerous territory.
With two Indomitable Lions on the turf nursing apparent injuries, the ball then fell to Bayo just a few yards from goal. And Fabrice Ondoa - standing in for absent cousin Andre Onana, who was delayed travelling to the Ivory Coast - was helpless to keep out the close-range strike.
With Magri already booked for a foul on Kamano, Kamano was then booked for a foul on Magri. it was a nasty one, the old tread-on the-achilles – leading to a red card offence. He might’ve accidentally perpetrated the heel-trample, but there was no chance he was getting away with that, and his mates had to defend their lead with 10 men.
Upon resumption, a 53 minute lash saw N’Koudou find a decent cross, and though there was no Vincent Janssen waiting for it, the delivery was fantastic, swung into the back post where Frank Magri was up all over Sylla, diverting his header down and back whence it came into the far side-netting. Cameroon needed that!
With rébus man to man marking and successful passes, Cameroon could not overpower the 10-man Guinea side. Rigobert Song introduced Gonzalez and Faris Moubangna but it all ended in stale mate.
Full Time
Cameroon 1#1 Guinea
Cameroon will next play against current champions Sénégal on Friday 19th.