In a high-stakes encounter, Cameroon emerged victorious with a 3-0 win over Burundi in Garoua on Tuesday, securing their place in the Africa Cup of Nations finals scheduled for January. The Indomitable Lions put in a nervy but determined performance to clinch the crucial victory and seal their qualification.
Cameroon, needing a win to ensure qualification, managed to top Group C with this impressive victory. Their triumph also paved the way for Namibia to secure a place in the finals, while Burundi, despite their spirited efforts, missed out on qualification.
The second half proved to be the turning point for Cameroon. Just one minute into the second half, Bryan Mbeumo capitalized on a defensive lapse to score the opening goal. The strike provided a much-needed boost for the home team.
Cameroon’s second goal came in the 59th minute when defender Christopher Wooh swept the ball home from close range. Although Wooh had initially missed a header from a corner by Karl Toko Ekambi, he reacted swiftly to convert the loose ball into a goal.
The third and final goal for Cameroon was scored deep into stoppage time by captain Vincent Aboubakar. A clearance that deflected off a Burundi defender fell favorably for Aboubakar, who made no mistake in finding the back of the net.
Despite Cameroon’s ultimate dominance, Burundi put up a spirited fight. Despite their significant ranking difference, Burundi exhibited a positive approach from the outset. Andre Onana, who made his return to the team after a fallout with coach Rigobert Song during the World Cup in Qatar last year, played a crucial role. The new Manchester United goalkeeper produced several key saves to deny Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana and Saidi Ntibazonzika.
This victory marked Cameroon’s first win since their 1-0 triumph over Brazil in Qatar during their last group game in December. With Group C now settled, the stage is set for the 24-team Africa Cup of Nations finals, scheduled to take place in the Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11 next year.
