2023 U23 AFCON Q: Eto’o’s Goal Futile As Cameroon Miss Morocco At Depth

The Panthers of Gabon overcame the Olympic Lions 7-6 after 5-aside penalties to book a spot in the TotalEnergies U23 Africa Cup of Nations billed for June 24 in Morocco.

The U23 indomitable lions welcomed their Gabonese counterparts at the Amadou Ahidjo stadium in Yaounde, in the reversed fixture of the AFCON U23 qualifiers.

Beaten by the odd goal (1-0) courtesy a 13th minute strike from Jeremie Moussango in Franceville, the pals of Guy Feutchine were keen to overturn the deficit.

Cameroon took the lead at the 42,000 seater capacity Omnisport stadium through a glancing header from UD Plobense forward Étienne Eto’o, at the 25th minute, from a nicely struck corner by Ibrahim Saidou.

While there was perfect parity at the end, the U23 Lions were less effective during the penalty session won by Gabon (6-7), with Keller and Saidou Ibrahim seeing through efforts saved by Bekale.

It summed up to be a dark day for Cameroon after the defeat of the indomitable lions against Namibia a few hours earlier.

Cameroon will miss out of the Morocco and subsequently, Paris trip where the next Olympic games will be held. The Indomitable Lions took part in the 2019 TotalEnergies U23 AFCON, this one, slightly over the team.