Senegal are on a roll in the group stage. The African champions overcame Guinea (1-0) in Pool A, while Cameroon narrowly defeated Gambia to qualify for the knockout.
It's deliverance for Cameroon in the AFCON 2023; Cameroon snatched its qualification by dominating Gambia in the final match (3-2). With their backs against the wall, Cameroon had to beat Gambia. But Rigobert Song's men were rushed at the start of the match by the Gambians, who created the best chances in the first half. Impeccable in goal, Ondoa made some fine saves. On a good Gambian counter-attack, Jallow found Sowe in the box, who unleashed a quick right-foot shot. Ondoa was on hand to push the ball away (7th). Minteh's header looked out of place and Ondoa pulled off a miraculous save (35th). The keeper saved his team once again. Very timid, Cameroon were completely dominated in the first half.
But on the restart, the Indomitable Lions showed a completely different face. From a cross on the right, Nkoudou controlled the ball and fired in a powerful left-foot shot.But his shot crashed against the crossbar (50th). But the Cameroonians were not to be denied. They opened the scoring in the 56th minute. Nkoudou's cross from the left found Karl Toko-Ekambi alone in the box, and he headed the ball into the net. Ekambi thus virtually qualified his country for the AFCON. However, the Scorpions were determined to level the scores in the 72nd minute. Jallow put the ball past Ondoa with the inside of his foot.Cameroon were still in for a surprise when Colley doubled Gambia's lead (85th). Cameroon pulled a goal back two minutes later when Gomez scored an own goal (87th).Virtually eliminated, the Indomitable Lions did not concede defeat. They fought back and C.Wooh scored the winning goal in added time.
📹 HIGHLIGHTS: 🇬🇲 2-3 🇨🇲
Goals scored left and right as Cameroon completes an impressive comeback over The Gambia! 🤯#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 | #GAMCMR | @Football2Gether
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 23, 2024
Senegal beat Guinea with ease
In the other match in Pool A, Senegal easily overcame Guinea. It wasn't until the second half that the two teams finally decided to play. Senegal took the lead in the 61st minute through Abdoulaye Seck. After a well-executed free-kick by Krépin Diatta, the Senegalese defender headed home to give his team the lead. Guinea tried their best to come back, but were thwarted by the defensive solidity of the Lions of Teranga. The latter even extended their lead with a goal from Iliman Ndiaye (90th).Senegal thus finished top of the group with 9 points, ahead of Cameroon (4pts) and Guinea.With zero points, Gambia is eliminated from the AFCON 2023.
