Cameroon overcame a tense showdown on Tuesday, clinching their spot in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournament with a resounding 3-0 victory over a resilient Burundi side.
The match, played in Garoua, witnessed the return of goalkeeper Andre Onana, who played a pivotal role in ensuring the Indomitable Lions’ qualification with a series of crucial saves.
Cameroon entered the game aware that only a victory would secure their place in the Afcon finals. Their triumph not only guaranteed their qualification but also paved the way for Namibia to join them in the prestigious tournament, while Burundi’s hopes were dashed.
The breakthrough for Cameroon came early in the second half when Bryan Mbeumo capitalized on a defensive lapse to find the net just one minute after the restart.
The second goal came in the 59th minute when defender Christopher Wooh expertly swept the ball home from close range. Wooh had initially missed a header from a corner delivered by Karl Toko Ekambi, but he reacted swiftly to convert the loose ball into a goal.
In stoppage time, a clearance that deflected off a defender allowed captain Vincent Aboubakar to seal the victory with Cameroon’s third goal.
Despite their lower Fifa ranking, Burundi entered the match with a positive mindset, challenging the 42nd-ranked Indomitable Lions. However, they were repeatedly denied by the exceptional saves of Andre Onana. Notably, Onana made critical stops against Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana and Saidi Ntibazonzika, demonstrating his prowess as a goalkeeper.
Onana’s return to the national team was a significant moment, considering his previous fallout with coach Rigobert Song during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which resulted in his expulsion from the squad.
The Manchester United goalkeeper’s performance proved crucial as Cameroon secured their first victory since defeating Brazil 1-0 in their last group game in Qatar in December.
With Group C’s outcome settled, the roster for the 24-team Afcon 2023 in Cote d’Ivoire from January 13 to February 11 next year is now complete.
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