Pro Philani looks back at the opening two fixtures of AFCON 2021 as Cameroon edged Burkino Faso and Cape Verde snuck past Ethiopia.
Streaky Cameroon beat Burkino Faso
AFCON 2021 kicked off in style in Cameroon when two continental superpowers met in the opening match of the competition. The Indomitable Lions were victorious in the end, snatching a 2-1 win thanks to captain Vincent Aboubaker’s double in the first half.
The hosts were under pressure to produce the goods in front of the president of the country, Paul Biya, who watched on from the stands. In the first 30 seconds of the match, Burkina Faso defender Steeve Yago received the first yellow card of the tournament for a clumsy foul. 23 minutes later, The Stallions found an opening goal through Gustavo Sangare from a Bertrand Traore assist.
Pressure mounted on the host nation and on the to please the crowd. Two moments of definsive madness inside their box allowed Vincent Aboubaker, Cameroon captain, to net two quick penalties sending the ‘keeper the wrong way on both occasions. First, for a foul on Andre Anguissa and secondly, for a foul on Nouhou Tolo.
The Burkinabe came back in the second half with clear intentions, to die on the field. Numerous efforts were made by Kamou Malo’s side, but it was the Cameroon defence that absorbed the pressure better and showed experience in the end.
📹 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦
— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 🏆 (@CAF_Online) January 9, 2022
Cameroon secure all 3️⃣ points in the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 opening game against Burkina Faso courtesy of a Vincent Aboubakar brace 🇨🇲 🦁 #AFCON2021 | #CMRBFA | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/6va4gzIolP
Cape Verde beat 10-man Ethiopia
It was the first time both these nations met each other in a competitive match. Ethiopia, one of the nations to play the first-ever AFCON tournament in 1957 were back again, this time in Cameroon.
The Ethiopians were welcomed in a rude manner when defender Yared Baye was given a straight red card for a DOGSO (Denying Obvious Goal Scoring Opportunity) foul. The red card had to be confirmed by VAR after the referee had initially issued a yellow card to the lanky defender.
Cabo Verde stuck to their game plan and didn’t adjust their tactics. The Ethiopians played with a lot of heart after a red card and didn’t crack under pressure. Cabo Verde mentor, Bubista, seemed like didn’t want to inject more pressure on Ethiopia but rather to make them run until they get tired.
The tactic paid off in the first minute of stoppage time when midfield sensation Garry Rodriguez pulled the ball back for an assist which found the head of dangerman Julio Tavares.
Cabo Verde will welcome a clean sheet and three points as they will face wounded Burkina Faso on Thursday night, while Ethiopia will look to have a tougher task against the host in the afternoon.
🎥 Match Highlights
— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 🏆 (@CAF_Online) January 9, 2022
A perfect start for #TeamCapeVerde as Tavares’s header earns the Blue Sharks the 3️⃣ points 🇨🇻 🦈 #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 | #AFCON2021 | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/bkx2hItVQ6
