Taken by surprise by the intense Guineans, the Cameroonians were unable to take advantage of their numerical superiority to win and conceded an unencouraging draw (1-1).
20:36 – Good evening
Thank you everyone for joining us to follow this Group C match between Cameroon and Guinea. The CAN continues this evening on linternaute.com with the entry into the running of theAlgeria against Angola at 9 p.m.
8:30 p.m. – Lacking bite, the match summary
The two clenched fists of François Kamano in the stands contrasted with the crestfallen expressions of the Cameroonians on the pitch. Sent off at the end of the first period for a sole on Magri, the Guinean captain savored the bravery of his partners who held on until the end to maintain the draw. A draw that looked like a victory for Kaba Diawara’s men, admirable in their solidarity in numerical inferiority, and much more disappointing for the Indomitable Lions, incapable of winning the match despite their clear domination. A result all the more damaging as it puts them in a delicate situation for the rest of the competition.
This is because the Cameroonians quickly fell into the trap set by the national Syli. It only took 10 minutes for Bayo to remind himself of the efficient scorer that he is. Served in depth by Conté, the former Clermont player approached Ondoa for the first time. Onana’s replacement pushed the shot back down the middle to Kemen, who didn’t have the presence of mind to clear wide. Pressed and squeezed by Konaté and Moriba, he returned the ball to the right in the area to Bayo. There, the Guinean striker did not need to be asked and adjusted the opposing goalkeeper from the inside of the right. An opening score which was not surprising as the Guineans showed themselves to be aggressive and incisive. A direct game, without unnecessary preparation, to better get ahead of the Cameroonian rearguard. The Indomitable Lions reacted immediately but Anguissa failed to get his header up from close range and left his team chasing the score.
Without imagination facing a tight block and waiting for the loss of the ball to explode on the counter, Cameroon purred and only owed its salvation to the intervention of the VAR. In added time of the first period, Kamano received a yellow which the referee transformed into red due to the dangerousness of the Guinean’s gesture. Without their captain, the Guinean selection fell back even further and gave in at the start of the second half when Magri headed back a cross delivered by Nkoudou, lively but too messy with his acceleration. It was the only Cameroonian flash until this strike from Toko Ekambi, otherwise too discreet at the forefront to make us forget the absence of Aboubakar, which Koné was responsible for capturing in two stages.
Until the end, Moriba and his partners gave up nothing, weathering the Cameroonian waves without flinching, repelling countless crosses, to obtain a well-deserved draw which made his unfortunate captain happy. For its part, Cameroon is off to a bad start in its competition and already finds itself under pressure as the clash against Senegal, defending champion and impeccable against Gambia (3-0), looms in four days.
20:16 – Bayo’s reaction
“We had a good match. We started well and we scored but the red card hurt us. At the back, it was tough. We resisted and managed to hold on to this point in the draw.”summarized at the microphone of beIN Sports, Mohamed Bayo, author of the Guinean goal and elected man of the match.
20:05 – A draw that suits Senegal
With this draw between Cameroon and Guinea, it is Senegal who achieved the great operation of this first day in Group C. The defending champion is in the lead with 3 points and is therefore ahead of the Guineans and Cameroonians. He will be able to ensure his qualification for the round of 16 from the next match if he manages to dominate the Indomitable Lions. Beaten 0-3, Gambia is last.
20:00 – Guinea hangs Cameroon (1-1)
Reduced to 10 and cornered on its goal throughout the second half, Guinea frustrated Cameroon and snatched a draw to begin its CAN (1-1). Surprised at the start of the match by Bayo, the Cameroonians were able to react after the break but then lacked the imagination and edge to win.
19:59 – Last Guinean change
To break the Cameroonian rhythm, Kaba Diawara made a change at 90+5′, bringing Konaté out to launch Sylla.
19:57 – Moriba hits wide
Sylla manages to keep the ball on the left and gives it to Sylla in the middle. About twenty meters away, the number 10 from Guinea chooses to shoot from the right. It’s crushed and too cross on the part of the Guinean community, who, exhausted, apologizes to their partners.
19:56 – Nkoudou hits a rock
Anguissa hits the axis and transmits in the area to Nkoudou. On the left, the Cameroonian lets himself be locked in by Sylla, who takes the upper hand and finally gets a foul which gives the Guineans some breathing room.
19:55 – Additional time: 6 minutes
There will be six minutes of added time in this second half between Cameroon and Guinea.
19:54 – Koné still there
30 meters in the center, Nkoudou lifts his free kick but in the area, it is Koné who comes to impose himself in the air with both hands.
19:51 – Koné retains the draw!
On the right side, Anguissa avoids the goal kick and gives Tchamadeu whose center finds Toko Ekambi in the area. The former Lyon player pivots and delivers a right strike. On his line, Koné makes the save and then catches it while a Cameroonian rushes for the ball. There are 3 minutes left in regulation time.
19:49 – Bayo comes out
Author of the Guinean goal in the first period, Bayo gives way to Kanté for the last 5 minutes of regulation time.
19:48 – Kemen unscrews
Following a poorly cleared cross from Castelletto, Toko Ekambi plays back for Kemen. At the right corner of the area, the Cameroonian midfielder takes his chance but hits from outside the right. The frame is completely missing.
19:48 – Nkoudou is not going
Kemen dezones to the right and wraps a well-felt cross into the area for Nkoudou who does not commit and lets the ball escape him.
19:45 – Gonzalez does not continue
Nkoudou lands another corner in the area. This time, he found Gonzalez but hampered by his opponent in front of him, the Cameroonian did not place his head and awkwardly controlled his chest before losing the ball.
19:43 – Ten more minutes
The game was stopped for a few moments to allow Conté to recover after the blow received on his shin and left foot. There are ten minutes left in this match and Cameroon dominates territorially without managing to find the gap to force the decision against Guinea, reduced to 10 since the end of the first period.
19:42 – Nkoudou touches the ball
Shifted to the right where he is often left alone, Castelletto uses his right foot to wrap up his center. At the far post, Nkoudou struggles with Diakité, who pulls his jersey, and only manages to graze the ball with his head. Safe for Koné and Guinea.
19:40 – Bayo poorly served
Near the halfway line, on the right, Diakité takes the free kick and swings straight ahead for Bayo who made the call. The Guinean striker is too tight and cannot get the best of Moukoudi who provides cover.
19:38 – Two changes for Cameroon
At the end of the refreshment break, Rigobert Song brings in Gonzalez and Tchamadeu. The two men replace Wooh and Magri respectively.
19:37 – Fresh break
Due to the heat in Yamoussoukro (36 degrees), players are allowed to take a break to drink. We are in the 73rd minute of play and Cameroon and Guinea are tied (1-1).
19:36 – Yongwa in force
Bayo loves the ball in the axis and plays a short deflection for Camara who is next to him. The Guinean leader throws himself but Yongwa makes the effort to pass the shoulder and resists the impact.
19:33 – Jeanvier in the corner
Wooh passes in front of Bayo to intercept the Guinean pass. The Rennais moves up the field and turns right towards Castelletto in a winger position. the Nantais curls a cross that Jeanvier cuts at the near post and deflects for a corner. Behind his back, Toko Ekambi and Magri were around.
19:29 – Ntcham well above
Served in the axis at 27 meters by Nkoudou, Ntcham fires a dry shot with his right which flies above the goal guarded by Koné.
19:28 – Yellow card for Diakhaby
Diakhaby’s turn to receive a warning. The Guinean defender is guilty of pulling an opponent’s jersey.
19:27 – Ondoa above Jeanvier
At 35 meters, Moriba extends his free kick to put it in the Cameroonian area. Starting on the edge of offside, Jeanvier disputes the ball with Ondoa but the goalkeeper manages to put his fists forward to relieve his side.