Cameroon edged The Gambia and qualified for 34th edition of the African cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 after the two teams played out a five-goal thriller at Stade de la Paix in Bouake.
After being minutes from elimination in Group C with only 1 point, the Indomitable Lions had to pocket the three points to qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament.
Cameroon coach Rigobert Song readjusted his lineup with Karl Toko Ekambi on the attack box while Manchester United’s goalkeeper Onana was benched.
The Scorpions exerted some dominance on their opponents during the first-half exchanges, but both sides’ strikers thwarted several scoring opportunities.
At the half time break, the two observed a virgin tie (0-0) until 31-year-old Toko Ekambi headed a long through ball in the 57th minute.
Minutes later Ablie Jallow surprised the Cameroon defenseand equalized in the 72nd minute with a clever volley which means the Gambian first goal in the tournament.
The game went relentless with end-to-end goal opportunities. In this mood, substitute Ebrima Colley offered his side the lead in the 85th minute with a powerful shot.
Then follows an eye-for-an-eye challenge. As they were ready to keep their hopes of qualification alive, the Indomitable Lions intensified their game and pressure until they levelled owing to James Gomez’s own goal.
Cameroon defender Christopher Wooh scored a stoppage-time goal (90+1). Two minutes later, The Gambian side hoped they had dashed Rigobert Song’s dream but their goal was ruled out after the VAR reviewed a handball cheat.
The five-time champions secured then the second place in Group C on goals scored behind Senegal.
They will next lock horn with Nigeria at Abidjan’s Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Saturday (20:00 GMT).
