In opening match, the indomitable lions dominated (2-1) Burkina Faso after being led to the score.
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The 33 e edition of the African Cup of Nations began Sunday, January 9th. At the scheduled time and in Yaounde’s superb Olembe stadium whose construction, by dragging for ten years, had given cold sweats to a passionate country of football.
After ninety minutes of a nice match, Cameroon has managed to enter this competition as the public has been waiting for half a century. And the stadium, which should soon bear the name of President Paul Biya, was inaugurated by a victory against Burkina Faso (2-1). But we must believe that the Cameroonians like to play scare.
“The best Cameroonian football”
At the end of the morning, the inhabitants of Yaoundé have filled the streets of the capital, proudly sporting a jersey, a pennant, a flag … shortly after 15 hours, Paul Biya, 88 years old, 39 spent in power, s Is offered a trick of honor of the armored limousine enclosure, with his chantal wife. Dozens of presidential guard soldiers were posted at all entrances of the enclosure, where each viewer was thoroughly searched and then forced to present a Covid test of less than 72 hours as well as proof of vaccination.
Patrice Marsepe, boss of African football confederation (CAF), spoke from the top of the presidential tribune. Cameroon owes him a lot. It is thanks to him that the event was maintained despite the pressure of the European clubs who did not want to “release” their African players for fear of the spread of the Omicron variant. “We will show the best Cameroonian football, the best African football,” said the South African President of the Caf.
After a quite timed match, the Cameroonians, unable to clear a balloon into their repair area, were surprised. Taking advantage of a center from the right and a very approximate exit of Guardian André Onana, Gustavo Sangaré opened the score (24th) of a left-hand flying resumption, plunging Yaounde’s stadium in a lead atmosphere .
Many occasions
But the indomitable lions have resources. At 38 e minute, a player is mowed in the repair surface. With the help of video support (Var), the referee designates the penalty point. Vincent Aboubakar transforms it (42 e ) The captain of the indomitable lions doubles the bet (45E + 3) by deceiving the guard again on another penalty, granted this time without the support of the Var.
In the second half, the Cameroon dominated and created many occasions without going to score. “The victory was important for us, Tony Conceiçao said, Portuguese coach of Cameroonians. Yes, I had a little scared but, sincerely, I trusted my players. We knew that playing at home in the first game was a Little stressful. A psychological charge weighs on the players but they reacted and it allowed us to return to the match. Our team showed its reaction capacity. “
For supporters, it’s relief. “At first I was frightened but our players have caught up well, congratulated Cathy, a Cameroonian at the exit of the stadium. We made a lot of sacrifices to organize this event. We leave with a victory and that’s the main thing. . Now we can savor a cup of champagne. “
Before joining the city center, Joan, 22, years old had trouble hiding his emotion and finding a superlative to qualify this first success: “Unpublished, incredible, spectacular … This evening was largely above my Hopes … I’m going back to Olembe Stadium for each game from Cameroon. “The next is scheduled Thursday, February 13 against Ethiopia.