Cameroon have reached the semi-finals of their Africa Cup of Nations when Karl Toko-Ekambi’s double beat them in a 2-0 win over The Gambia on Saturday in the hosts’ first game of the tournament since a fatal crush at Yaounde.
French-born Lyon striker Toko-Ekambi scored two goals in the space of eight minutes at the start of the second half, creating an atmosphere of celebration in Douala.
Their goals were just the reward for Cameroon, appearing in their first Cup of Nations against a fully-fledged Gambian side.
Reaching the quarter-finals was a standout performance for the small West African nation, while Cameroon marched for a last-four appearance with either Egypt or Morocco as they continue their quest for a sixth continental title.
The host nation’s first and only visit to the nation’s financial capital meant that there was always going to be a frenzied atmosphere in this chaotic, football-crazed city as fans descended on Japoma Stadium.
The indomitable Lions had not taken the field since their tragic crush on Monday before their last-16 game against the Comoros in Yaounde, a disaster that left eight dead and 38 injured.
security beefed up
Here the authorities extensively advanced their security operations around the ground in an effort to ensure that there was no recurrence.
Army officers with rifles stood atop buildings on the way to the stadium, while police in large numbers patrolled the streets and guarded the entrances.
On the eve of the Games Cameroon’s Sports Minister held a press conference to announce measures aimed at avoiding a recurrence of the Olembe disaster.
These include prohibiting the distribution of free tickets and banning children under the age of 11 from participating in sports.
The minister also urged supporters to arrive earlier, and the gates of Japoma opened five hours before kick-off.
This meant that the deafening noises of vuvuzelas filled the air well before the Cameroonian team reached the ground, as the bus headed to the changing room, and only for a moment in silence in memory of the crush victims. Stopped.
The coronavirus restrictions imposed for AFCON have limited the crowd to a maximum of 60 per cent capacity, but when the host country plays this is increased to 80 per cent, meaning an official attendance of 36,259 for the game.
Cameroon were the overwhelming favorites against the smaller Gambia, although Tony Conceicao’s side worked to defeat the Comoros, who was another AFCON debut and who was forced to play an outfield player in the goal.
There may have been some doubts in the home camp at half-time, when they completely captured the first 45 minutes without success.
Cameroonian captain and tournament top scorer Vincent Abubakar sent a header shortly after the half-hour mark and then saw another attempt from point-blank range by Gambian goalkeeper Babaukar Gaye.
Yet the opening goal came in just five minutes into the second half, with excellent right-back Collins fi crossing and Toko-Ekambi nodded into the far corner.
Vuvuzela came out, and the crowd was on their feet again at 57 minutes as the impressive Martin Hongla sent a low ball for Toko-Ekambi to finish strongly for his fifth goal at AFCON this AFCON.
Pending for confirmation from the Confederation of African Football, Cameroon are now due to return to Olembe for their semi-finals on Thursday, and possibly also for the final next Sunday.
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