HOSTS Cameroon defeated Burkina Faso 2-1 in the opening match of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.
After a colourful opening ceremony at the Olembe Stadium, which had President Paul Biya and other dignitaries in attendance, the action that followed was equally vibrant.
The Indomitable Lions had to come from behind to beat the Stallions in a game that was packed with action from the beginning to the end.
Gustavo Sangare gave Burkina Faso a deserved lead in the 24th minute, prodding home after Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana misjudged a cross.
The Stallions were the more proactive side in the opening exchanges and could have had one or two more goals before the opening striker.
They however pressed the self-destruct button to hand Cameroon a route back into the contest.
Inexplicably, Bernard Traore committed a needless foul in the Burkina Faso box and, after a Video Assistant Referee review, a penalty was awarded to Cameroon in the 40th minute.
Vincent Aboubakar netted the spot kick to draw the hosts level, but that was not the end of his involvement in the first half.
Just before the end of the half, Aboubakar was presented with another gift from the spot after Burkina Faso again gave away a penalty.
The Indomitable Lions captain converted again to complete his brace and give his side a 2-1 lead going into the break.
Cameroon played mostly on the counterattack in the second half and were almost rewarded, but what would have been Aboubakar’s hat-trick goal was disallowed for marginal offside after a lengthy VAR review.
The tournament continues on Sunday night when Cape Verde face Ethiopia, while Monday will see Senegal versus Zimbabwe and a heavyweight Morocco versus Ghana clash.
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