Cameroon vs Ethiopia. Africa Cup of Nations Group A.
Olembe Stadium.
Match report as Cameroon become the first team to qualify for the last 16 of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations after a thumping 4-1 win over Ethiopia
Thursday 13 January 2022 22:53, UK
Vincent Aboubakar and Karl Toko Ekambi scored twice each as Cameroon became the first team to qualify for the last 16 of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations after the hosts thumped Ethiopia 4-1 in Group A on Thursday.
Cameroon turned in a strong second-half performance and advanced to six points after also winning their opening game against Burkina Faso.
But the triumph over Ethiopia at the Olembe Stadium was much more convincing and will come as a morale boost as they carry a major burden of expectation.
The Indomitable Lions have also qualified for the knockout stages, with the win guaranteeing them to be at least one of the best four third-placed sides, but they can finish as group winners if they avoid defeat against Cape Verde on Monday.
Ethiopia made a shock start as they caught Cameroon's defence napping, with Amanuel Aregawi delivering a square ball into the area and Dawa Dukele getting in front of his marker to slot home the pass.
It was the second time already Cameroon have trailed in the tournament, but they needed only four minutes to equalise.
Collins Fai, who had proven slovenly in defence when Ethiopia scored their goal, made amends with a quality cross and Toko Ekambi took advantage of poor marking to head home in the eighth minute.
The French-born striker rattled the woodwork with a header but Ethiopia were also dangerous on the counter-attack, catching out Cameroon repeatedly with their pace even if they did not have much possession.
But they wilted soon after the start of the second half as Aboubakar scored twice in as many minutes.
He headed home Collins' cross in the 53rd minute and slid home a similar square ball from Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu.
Toko Ekambi scored his second, and Cameroon's fourth, in the 67th minute.
"We were mentally ready for this game. This is a big boost for the tournament and we hope we have more spectators for our next game," he told a news conference.
Covid restrictions meant the newly built Olembe Stadium was around 20 per cent full for the match.
Cameroon take on Cape Verde on Monday, live on Sky Sports Football at the Olembe Stadium; kick-off 4pm.
Ethiopia face Burkina on Sky Sports Premier League at the same time at the Kouekong Stadium.
