From our special correspondent in Bouaké – Three goals scored after the 85th minute and an additional one refused… The final of the group between Cameroon and Gambia gave birth to a crazy scenario. However, at the end of the match, it was the Cameroonians, winners 3 to 2, who qualified for the round of 16, even snatching 2nd place in Group C from Guinea thanks to the number of goals scored. The Indomitable Lions will face Nigeria in the round of 16.
Published on: 01/23/2024 – 8:01 p.m. Modified on: 01/23/2024 – 8:08 p.m.
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Cameroon reminded everyone why their team is nicknamed the Indomitable Lions. Virtually eliminated for a long time in their match against Gambia, Rigobert Song’s men found the mental resources to secure qualification in the round of 16 (3-2).
While the Yamoussoukro stadium hosted the “final” of Group C between Senegal and Guinea, the Peace stadium in Bouaké hosted two teams in danger: a Cameroon keen to forget its pitiful performances in the first two matches, and a Gambia who hopes to finish on a good note with a victory, or even a miraculous qualification. Which she almost held.
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Around the stadium, the Cameroonians were confident, reminding us that the Indomitable Lions are never better than when they are against the wall and paying little attention to Gambia. Big mistake, because on the field, if the Cameroonians take possession of the ball and launch long phases of possession, it is the Scorpions who are the most spicy.
Ondoa in his place in the Cameroon cage
Fabrice Ondoa quickly had the opportunity to shine with a powerful strike from Sowe. The goalkeeper from Nîmes (third French division) replaces André Onana in the cages, designated guilty of the defeat against Senegal (3-2). It must be said that the Manchester United goalkeeper has a complicated history with the selection and this time again he joined the gathering late.
Far from his teammate’s 0% display against the Lions of Teranga, Ondoa responds. Crocodile of Nîmes or Cameroonian lion, he bares his fangs to defend his cage and repels the thrusts of Minteh, untenable on the wings (25th, 35th, 39th).
Opposite, the Cameroonians can congratulate themselves on holding the ball better than their opponents but never worry the Gambian goalkeeper Baboucarr Gaye.
A change of face after half-time.
Returning from the locker room, the Cameroonians know that they must do better. The current state of the match leaves them virtually eliminated. Especially since on the other lawn of Group C, Guinea and Senegal seem happy to share the point of the draw which freezes the ranking.
Cameroonians must truly become indomitable Lions again. Karl Toko Ekambi understood the message and pushed forward (49th). George-Kevin N’Koudou sends a powerful strike while he is alone in front of the goal, but finds the crossbar (53rd). A few moments later, the shooter is blocked by the defense in the area but the referee indicates to play.
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It finally pays off! Served perfectly by N’Koudou, Toko Ekambi, who started behind the defense, placed an unstoppable header (56th, 1-0). An achievement of the 2018 Marc Vivien-Foé prize first verified by video arbitration and finally validated, to the great relief of the “Continent”.
Equalization that hurts
With the counter unlocked, Cameroon should now think about improving its goal difference, especially since in Yamoussoukro, Senegal also opened the scoring. But Gambia decides otherwise: it continues to push, to believe in it and Ondoa ends up cracking. Abli Jallow equalizes (72nd, 1-1). Everything has to be done again.
In the process, the match gets carried away. Barrow brushes against Ondoa’s left post (73rd). Karl Toko Ekambi finds the crossbar (75th). And faced with the continental ogre, the Bouaké public chose little Poucet, who ended up taking the upper hand: having just entered the game, Ebrima Colley, served by Cessey, placed an unstoppable strike from a tight angle (85th, 2- 1).
Impossible is not Cameroonian, however. The Indomitable Lions do not lower their heads and find the mental resources to equalize. A tornado invades the Gambian surface and Gomez beats his own goalkeeper (2-2).
Enough to offer a thrilling finale because qualification could be decided on the number of goals scored! And Cameroon stunned Gambia just before stoppage time: on a corner, Wooh rose higher than everyone and placed an angry header out of the goalkeeper’s reach (90th). The Indomitable Lions just have to be true to their nickname during the nine minutes of overtime…
But it was decided that this match would be completely crazy and Gambia equalized again thanks to Bubacarr Sanneh, condemning both teams. But the VAR intervenes and refuses the goal for an obvious hand.
A few moments later, the Cameroonians can finally breathe: in pain, in self-sacrifice, in madness too… The qualification is there!
And thanks to a second goal conceded by Guinea against Senegal, Cameroon even moved up to 2nd place in Group C, ahead of the Guineans thanks to the number of goals scored. Rigobert Song’s men will face Nigeria on Saturday at 9 p.m. The Super Eagles have been warned, the sleeping Lions know how to become indomitable again.
