AFCON: Hosts Cameroon beat Burkina Faso 2-1 in Group A opener

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By Gabriel Kekong

The 33^rd Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has kicked off the 2021 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations against Burkina Faso in the Group A opener yesterday.

Cameroon fought back from a 1-0 down in the 24 minutes into the game at Olembe Stadium, Yaoundé to beat an impressive Burkina Faso 2-1

After a slow, nervy start, the match burst into life towards the end of the first half, and Cameroon survived a big opening scare against an impressive side.

In the 40th minute, Cameroon striker Vincent Aboubakar equalised by converting a spot-kick into a goal.

Again, Aboubakar converted another penalty into a goal in the extra minute of the first half to give the hosts the lead.

This is Cameroon and Burkina Faso’s third encounter in the Africa Cup of Nations. Both previous meetings came in the group phase: Cameroon won 1-0 in 1998 before a 1-1 draw in 2017.

Cameroon made their 20th appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations, a tally only bettered by Egypt (25), Cote d’Ivoire (24) and Ghana (23). Egypt are the only team to have won the tournament on more occasions than The Indomitable Lions.

Meanwhile, the Pharoah of Egypt will square up against the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the Group D opener tomorrow in Garoua.