“Nothing is impossible in Cameroon”, and that phrase proved itself once again on Saturday night when the Indomitable Lions made a remarkable comeback to secure third place at Africa Football Championship Championship (AFCON).
At first glance, Burkina Faso appeared unstoppable after Steeve Yago, an own goal by Andre Onana and Djibril Ouattara gave Burkina Faso a three-goal advantage. But Stephane Bahoken reduced that deficit before Vincent Aboubakar managed to score an equaliser following an extended VAR check.
Cameroon vs. Burkina Faso
On Saturday night at Olembe Stadium in Cameroon, Cameroonian hosts proved true to their motto ‘The Impossible is Cameroonian' after coming back from 3-0 down against Burkina Faso to defeat them for third place play-off glory. Steeve Yago opened scoring for Burkina Faso Stallions before goalkeeper Andre Onana made a costly mistake and gifted another goal away to Burkina Faso Stallions defenders another goal gifting them one goal in total 3-0 deficit.
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Cameroon responded strongly with Stephane Bahoken and Vincent Aboubakar both scoring within five minutes to force penalties and take the game into a shootout, eventually winning 5-3 and taking their chance against Egypt (the most successful nation with seven titles). Cameroon will look to finish on an upbeat note when facing Egypt again in Sunday's final.
Prior to this match, Cameroon coach Rigobert Song had parted ways with first-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana due to a disagreement regarding tactics and replaced him with Devis Epassy. Aboubakar scored twice against Burkina Faso and now stands second on this tournament's top scorers list with eight goals scored overall.
Cameroon vs. Serbia
Rigobert Song's Indomitable Lions had previously lost all eight World Cup finals games they had entered before staging an impressive comeback to draw with Serbia in a remarkable manner. Serbia had taken an early two-goal advantage thanks to Strahinja Pavlovic (one minute into first-half stoppage time) and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic before Aleksandar Mitrovic appeared to put it beyond reach by scoring in 53rd minute; Cameroon substitute Vincent Aboubakar levelled through a stunning lob which initially went offside before being confirmed by VAR before levelling it again at all-square.
Aboubakar turned the match around again in the second half with another goal and assist, beating his defender before passing onto Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting of former Stoke City for him to tap home.
Cameroon vs. Egypt
Tomorrow's final will pit two of the most successful sides from this tournament against each other and should prove thrillingly intense, but what was unexpected was Cameroon's incredible comeback.
Vincent Aboubakar of Cameroon set off an unlikely comeback against Serbia by quickly pulling his side back from a 3-1 deficit within two minutes, setting up Eric Maxim Choupo Moting for an equalizing goal.
Mohamed Salah attempts to sneak one past Lea Siliki but the latter impedes it with his feet, before his next shot loops over Gabaski's bar and away from danger.
Cameroon vs. Senegal
Cameroon had seemingly fallen to its second straight loss at the Africa Cup of Nations when falling behind Burkina Faso 3-0 in the 49th minute, yet tournament leading scorer Vincent Aboubakar came on as a substitute to turn things around and turn back towards victory.
Aboubakar scored an amazing solo goal that chipped over the keeper to reduce the deficit, and his crossing later set up Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting's late header that brought about an outstanding equaliser.
Cameroon coach Toni Conceicao made nine changes to the side that lost in a penalty shootout to Egypt in their semi-final clash on Sunday. Additionally, first choice goalkeeper Andre Onana had been removed hours prior for unknown reasons.
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Cameroon were hoping for their fifth African Cup of Nations Championship title but they were stunned early by an early double from Serbia's Strahinja Pavlovic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic that gave their side an initial advantage. However, an aggressive Cameroonian crowd and top scorer Aboubakar proved sufficient to turn things around and bring Cameroon back into contention.
