January 29, (THEWILL) – With a 2-0 win over Gambia, tournament hosts Cameroon qualified for the TotalEnergies 2021 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals with the impressive Karl Toko Ekambi scoring both goals.
Debutants Gambia had surprised many by making it past the group stage in their first appearance in the event, especially after eliminating Guinea in the round of 16 stage of the continental football showpiece.
However, on Saturday, the country rated 150 in the world – exactly 100 places below Cameroon – was defeated by a brace from Toko Ekambi at the Stade Omnisport de Douala in front of cheering and celebratory home fans.
The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon dominated the first half, but could only muster a Vincent Aboubakar header that put rival goalkeeper Baboucarr Gaye to the test once in the 45 minutes that the first period lasted.
But Aboubakar’s striking partner, Toko Ekambi, the clinical Lyon forward, scored the game’s first goal five minutes into the second half, with a header across Gaye from a Collins Fai assist.
Gambia’s chances of extending their magical run were dashed seven minutes later when Toko Ekambi went in behind to finish Martin Hongla’s cross from close range for his fifth goal in the competition so far.
The hosts cemented themselves as title favourites once again and in addition to having home advantage, the Indomitable Lions boast of the most potent strikeforce in the tournament, with Aboubakar and Ekambi vying for the AFCON top scorer.
While their performance against the Comoros served as a wake-up call, they were more clinical and powerful against Gambia, a team that had conceded only once in four previous AFCON games.
Yet, it is well to note that they have played two AFCON debutants in their last two games and will have a considerably tougher test in the last four against Egypt or Morocco, both of whom are seasoned and resilient.
They can be confident, though, with forwards like Aboubakar and Toko Ekambi. Aboubakar had six goals in the tournament going into this game, but he was missing his finishing boots. So it was left to Ekambi to step up and reward Cameroon’s possession with a well-placed header before the game was called off, bringing the tournament total to five goals
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
