After Senegal's clean sweep (3-0), Cameroon vs. Guinea was the second match in Pool C, with both teams aiming to join Senegal at the top of the standings. But it was not to be, as the 2 teams ended 1-1 back to back in a match that started off with a bang, but ended in near boredom.
A spirited Guinea leads at half-time (1-0)
Mouctar Diakhaby created Guinea's 1st chance of the match in the 6th minute.From a Moriba free-kick, the Valencia defender sent a powerful header over the Cameroonian goal. Mohamed Bayo, who had been outplayed at the start of the match, then scored the only goal of the game in the 10th minute. This followed a move in which he initially missed his one-on-one with the Cameroon keeper. His willing team-mates, however, hindered the Cameroonians' recovery, who lost the ball close to the box after some dithering. The ball fell to Bayo, who fired a cross-shot that gave Cameroon keeper Fabrice Ondoa no chance.
Cameroon reacted late on (in the 26th minute) to an incursion by Toko Ekambi, who fed Frank Magri for a precise cross that N'koudou failed to connect with, despite being well placed.
On 29 minutes, still in Guinean style, Sekou Sylla attempted a daring lob from the left, but unfortunately it was too high.
In the 34th minute, a free-kick from the left by the Indomitable Lions was used as a mini-corner, but was poorly executed.Cameroon's attacking record in this match was poor. Indeed, by the 36th minute, Song's men had yet to get a shot on goal. And the few counter-attacking opportunities they did get were poorly exploited. The Syli's captain, Francois Kamano, was sent off for a nasty foul, more out of clumsiness than anything else, when he was pressing away from goal. This came in stoppage time of the 1st half, the only slip-up for Guinea in the first half.
At the end of a pleasant first 45 minutes, Guinea entered the match better, but fell further and further behind, still leading. Statistically, Cameroon had possession (61%). But Guinea had the most dangerous chances, with 5 shots, 2 of which were on target, compared with 4 shots for the Indomitable Lions, 0 of which were on target.
Second half: Cameroon equalize and nothing else
Cameroon equalised almost immediately in the 50th minute, when Georges-Kévin Nkoudou's cross from the left was met by Frank Magri's diving header. The momentum shifted in the second half, as Guinea regrouped in their own half, while Cameroon continued to attack, but without looking dangerous.Guinea did try a few counter-attacks, all of which were blocked by the vigilant Cameroonians. Castelletto attempted a cross in the 76th minute, but Nkoudou shot wide. Almost nothing else of note happened, as Cameroon were unable to shake the stubborn Guinean defence.
On the score sheet, Cameroon had 70% possession, with 9 shots including 2 on target, while Guinea finished the match with 6 shots including 2 on target and 30% possession.
📹 HIGHLIGHTS: 🇨🇲 1-1 🇬🇳
A goal for each team as Cameroon and Guinea share the game points. 🤝#CMRGUI | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 | @Football2Gether
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 15, 2024
