From our special correspondent in Yamoussoukro – By opening the score from the start then resisting at 10 during a half, Guinea performed well on Monday in Group C of the African Cup by snatching a draw against Cameroon (1-1). The Indomitable Lions will play big on Friday against Senegal, winners earlier in the Gambia.
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The Indomitable Lions have stumbled upon a bone. Cameroon could not do better than a draw against a valiant Guinea (1-1), which could even have hoped for better without the expulsion of its captain François Kamano. In the “group of death” bearing the letter “C”, Senegal therefore takes the lead after its slap inflicted on Gambia (3-0) a little earlier.
After the Lions of Teranga, it was those deemed indomitable who presented themselves in the Yamoussoukro arena in a French-speaking clash against Guinea. National Syli supporters came in large numbers, armed with drums, to encourage their team after largely supporting Senegal during the first match.
Faced with a Cameroon lacking certainty for several months, Guinea entered the match well: it only took 10 minutes for Mohamed Bayo to find the fault, deceiving Fabrice Ondoa with a cross shot (10th, 0-1). The Nîmes goalkeeper was chosen in goal to replace André Onana, who arrived only overnight after being retained by his club Manchester United.
Cameroon is forced to react. Georges-Kévin Nkoudou sounds the revolt: his service for Zambo Anguissa is poorly negotiated by the Neapolitan (13th) while he himself is too short to take a cross from Magri (26th). Deprived of their emblematic Vincent Aboubakar, injured in training, the Indomitable Lions lack inspiration.
Opposite, Guinea delights in its advance and has fun with it: the full-back Sekou Sylla even attempts a lob from afar when he sees Ondoa slightly advanced (30th).
Red card for Kamano
Well in place, Guinea is doing better than resisting the assaults of the five-time African champions. But a red card reshuffles the cards: author of a nasty sole on Magri in the central circle, captain François Kamano is sent off just before half-time.
Upon returning from the locker room, the national Syli is nevertheless hard at work. On a rapid transition, the Guineans find themselves three against two. But Guilavogui, shifted to the right, procrastinates (49th). He can bite his fingers: Cameroon equalizes immediately. Nkoudou sends a precise cross to the far post for Franck Magri. The Toulouse striker gets the better of Sylla and scores with a header (51st, 1-1).
Reduced to 10, Guinea plays the counterattacks to the fullest. And his supporters are enraged when Harold Moukoudi only receives a yellow after a very late tackle which annihilates a counter flash from Syli (62nd).
Cameroon settles into the Guinean camp but seems very clumsy when it comes to finishing, like Ntcham’s attempt (67th). A sterile domination which enrages Samuel Eto’o, the Cameroonian legend now president of the federation, in the stands. Like when Ibrahim Koné saved his team from a vicious strike from Karl Toko Ekambi in the final minutes (88th).
Read alsoFind the classification of group C
Valiant until the end, Guinea resisted with their heart and snatched the point of the draw with their teeth. A first point which could make all the difference in group C. Cameroon could find itself in an uncomfortable situation in the event of defeat on Friday in the Lions’ duel against Senegal, current leader of the group.