AFCON 2023: Magri scores, but short-handed Guinea tie Cameroon in AFCON opener

Five-time AFCON champions Cameroon failed to make their numerical advantage count against a stubborn Guinea side.

Frank Magri was the hero but an Andre Onana-less Cameroon was held to a draw by a gallant 10-man Guinea in their AFCON2023 opener.

The Indomitable Lions kicked off their AFCON2023 journey without the Manchester United goalkeeper as they were frustrated by the Mohamed Bayo-led Syli Nationale following a 1-1 draw on Monday evening.

In the absence of United’s keeper, Onana, the five-time champions started Nimes’ shot-stopper Fabrice Ondoa in goal against Guinea.

Ten minutes into the game Ondoa’s poorly parried ball fell kindly to Mohamed Bayo who made no mistakes to fire Guinea into a shock lead.

Cameroon piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser which remained elusive as Guinea held on to go into the break with a narrow lead and one man down after a VAR-assisted decision saw Francois Kamano sent off in first-half added time.

In the second 45 minutes, the Indomitable Lions finally made their numerical advantage count when Magri headed in the decisive leveller from an excellent George-Kevin N’Koudou cross.

The scoreline remained that way as there was nothing more to separate both sides, with Guinea happier after playing the entire second half with a man down.

A share of the spoils gives defending champions Senegal the initiative in Group C. Cameroon and Guinea are tied on one point each, two behind the Teranga Lions, who thrashed Gambia in the other group match.