AFCON 2021: Aboubakar Scores Brace Against Ethiopia As Cameroon Become 1st Team To Qualify For Knock Out Stage

• Cameroon became the first nation to qualify for AFCON 2021 knockout stage after a 4-1 win against Ethiopia
• Ethiopia stunned Cameroon after taking the lead as early as the 4th minute through D. D. Hotessa but the host nation leveled matters four minutes later through Toko Ekambi
• A second-half brace from captain Vincent Aboubakar and another goal from Ekambi completed the comeback for Cameroon as they sealed a place in AFCON last 16

Host nation Cameroon became the first team to qualify for AFCON 2021 knockout stage on Thursday, January 13, following a 4-1 against Ethiopia.

But Cameroon started the game in the worst possible way after conceding as early as the 4th minute.

Hotessa gave Ethiopia a shock lead when he was picked out by Nasir and made no mistake slotting past Andre Onana in goal for Cameroon. The goal brought a sudden silence in the stadium.

However, Cameroon were back on level terms just minutes later after Toko Ekambi restored parity with a close-range header.

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Football

Quick-fire goals in the second half from captain Vincent Aboubakar and another strike from Ekambi completed the comeback for Cameroon as they sealed a place in AFCON last 16.

Aboubakar got on the end of a flighted cross from right-back Collins Fai in the 53rd minute to give Cameroon the lead before making it 3-1 two minutes later.

Toko Ekambi then got his second when he cut in from the left flank, leaving two Ethiopian defenders for dead, before firing past the goalkeeper.

Hassane Bande scores as Burkina Faso beat Cape Verde

Meanwhile, Sportsbrief earlier reported that Hassane Bande was the hero on Thursday night, January 13, as his brilliant goal gave Burkina Faso a 1-0 win over Cape Verde.

After losing their first game in the African Cup of Nations against host nation Cameroon, Burkina Faso put the defeat behind them to fight hard in their second game.

Burkina Faso now occupy the second position in Group A behind Cameroon after giving themselves a chance to qualify for the AFCON 2021 knockout stage after beating thanks to their win against Cape Verde.