AFCON 2021: Cape Verde Holds Cameroon To A Draw In Last Group A Game

Hosts Cameroon have been held to a draw by Cape Verde (1-1) on match day three of the ongoing Africa Cup Of Nations.

In what was described prior as a game of low stakes, the fixture rarely brought moments of sparkle, as indeed in group games early.

The game started with both teams cautious; especially as Cape Verde needed a draw.

The first highlight of the encounter came at the 16th minute, when there was a shot off target by Vincent Aboubakar, after some smooth trickery from Moumi Ngamaleu down the right.

A minute to the half hour mark, Ngamaleu was impeded upon by Dos Santos Tavares (Stopira) on the edge of the Cape Verde area. The resulting free – kick turned out to be a rather wasteful effort from Pierre Kunde Malong.

The Cape Verde defense was undone with 7 minutes left to the pose, and it came via a set piece.

Lions set piece specialist, Moumi Ngamaleu – placed the ball beautifully in the box, and Kunde’s header rebounded kindly for Aboubakar, who netted his fifth of the tournament.

An unfortunate moment nearly befell Onana at the 43rd minute when he spilled the ball, but Moukoudi’s goal line clearance saved the Inter Milan goalie and Cameroon, from a potential disaster.

Cape Verde however got back their equaliser at the 55th minute when Gary Rodrugues scored with a wonderful flick after Rocha Santos had done all the hardwork down the right.

Aboubakar nearly raised his goal – tally to 6 in the tournament, when he suddenly found himself unmarked at the 68th minute – in the Cape Verde box, but scuffed his shot wide.

Cameroon goes through unscathed as group leaders in group A, while Cape Verde is set to be one of four best losers to make it to the knockout stages. Burkina Faso are equally into the round of 16 sharing the spoils with Ethiopia (1-1).