AFCON 2021: Aboubakar Gets Cameroon Off To Flying Start, Scores Brace To Sink Burkina Faso

• Cameroon came from one-goal down to record a 2-1 victory over Burkina Faso in the opening match of AFCON
• The hosts required two first-half penalty kicks from Vincent Aboubakar to claim all three points
• Burkina Faso lone goal came from Gustavo Sangare who converted Betrand Traore’s cross after an howler from Onana

A first-half brace from Cameroon captain Vincent Aboubakar secured a 2-1 win for the home team against Burkina Faso in the opening game of the Africa Cup of Nations 2021.

But it was Burkina Faso who drew the first blood after a mistake from goalkeeper Andre Onana who was out of action for most of 2021 after failing a test.

Aston Villa winger Bertrand Traore’s cross from the left in the 24th minute was misjudged by Onana leaving Sangare to tuck home from close range.

From that moment, it looked like Burkina Faso were going into the break with the lead but lack of discipline at the back helped Cameroon get back into the game thanks to two first-half penalties.

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Traore was guilty for the first one after he made a late tackle on Napoli midfielder Anguissa inside the box with less than seven minutes left to play.

VAR came to play after the referee initially waved play on but was summoned by the VAR officials to have a look at the challenge on the screen.

After consulting with the VAR, the referee gave the penalty as Vincent Aboubakar stepped forward to take it.

The former Porto man made no mistake from the spot as he sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to level the score.

Late into stoppage time of the first half, Cameroon won another penalty, this time, Burkina Faso defender Dayo was the guilty man after a rash tackle inside the box.

Aboubakar stepped forward to take it and again sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to give Cameroon the lead 2-1. The first half ended 2-1 in favour of the Indomitable Lions.

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Just about 11 minutes into the second half and Aboubakar thought he has scored his hattrick but he was adjudged to be offside before slotting the ball into the back of the net.

Burkina Faso could have found themselves back on level terms but a freekick from Traore found his teammate inside the box but his effort was cleared off the line.

Cameroon held on to claim a 2-1 win to kick off their AFCON campaign on a winning note.

Cape Verde Sink 10-Man Ethiopia to Kick Off Campaign on Flying Start

Meanwhile, Sportsbrief also reported that Cape Verde kicked off their AFCON campaign in Cameroon on a positive note after seeing off 10-man Ethiopia 1-0 in their Group A opener.

Julio Tavares fired Cape Verde into the lead minutes just before the break.

Cape Verde's slim win has them sitting second on Group A behind hosts Cameroon on goal difference.