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DPA
Vincent Aboubakar scored two penalties as Cameroon came from behind to beat Burkina Faso 2-1 in the opening match of the delayed 2021 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.
After twice being moved due to climate issues and COVID-19, the tournament finally got under way at Olembe Stadum in Yaounde, Cameroon.
Burkina Faso took the lead in the first game in Group A, which also includes Ethiopia and Cape Verde, thanks to Gustavo Sangare’s back-post volley after 24 minutes.
Bertrand Traore had a header cleared off the line in the build-up to that opening goal, but he gave away a penalty for a trip on Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa at the other end.
Aboubakar converted following a long video review (VAR) and the Cameroon captain was on target again from the spot eight minutes later after Issoufou Dayo slid in on Nouhou Tolo to concede another penalty.
VAR intervened to deny an offside Aboubakar when he thought he had bundled in a third in the second half, but two goals proved enough for Cameroon to get off to a winning start.
Also, in the 78th minute, the hat-trick hunting Aboubakar was in sight of goal from an angle on the right of the area, and gave his shot everything, but it flew over.
The wall of noise from the crowd was relentless, and surely the home fans must’ve gone home happy.
Vincent Aboubakar scored two penalties as Cameroon came from behind to beat Burkina Faso 2-1 in the opening match of the delayed 2021 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.
After twice being moved due to climate issues and COVID-19, the tournament finally got under way at Olembe Stadum in Yaounde, Cameroon.
Burkina Faso took the lead in the first game in Group A, which also includes Ethiopia and Cape Verde, thanks to Gustavo Sangare’s back-post volley after 24 minutes.
Bertrand Traore had a header cleared off the line in the build-up to that opening goal, but he gave away a penalty for a trip on Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa at the other end.
Aboubakar converted following a long video review (VAR) and the Cameroon captain was on target again from the spot eight minutes later after Issoufou Dayo slid in on Nouhou Tolo to concede another penalty.
VAR intervened to deny an offside Aboubakar when he thought he had bundled in a third in the second half, but two goals proved enough for Cameroon to get off to a winning start.
Also, in the 78th minute, the hat-trick hunting Aboubakar was in sight of goal from an angle on the right of the area, and gave his shot everything, but it flew over.
The wall of noise from the crowd was relentless, and surely the home fans must’ve gone home happy.
