Ekambi’s Brace End Gambia’s ‘Hip Hop’ AFCON Run

The scorpions of Gambia have met their end in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, after the debutants lost 2-0 to hosts Cameroon, in the quarter finals.

Gambia made history after beating Guinea 1-0 to qualify for AFCON quarterfinals for the first time, but their fairytale have come to an abrupt end, courtesy two second half goals from Toko Ekambi.

The hosts their match up with Gambia sluggishly, with the Gambia seemingly ‘parking the bus’.

The first chance for Cameroon came through for red hot, Vincent Aboubakar. The skipper’s flick at the 15th minute was Cameroon’s only chance for a goal in the first quarter of an hour.

Nohou Tolo then followed with a low drive on target, though, straight into the hands of goalkeeper Gaye.

A minute to the half hour mark, Fai Collins answered the call of fans to shoot, but his snap shot hit the side netting, as the Lions kept knocking.

Samuel Oum was having a smart first half in the middle of the park for the hosts. The KV Mechelen midfeilder started a move on the right, playing with Anguissa, getting the return and firing towards Aboubakar, whose headed attempt was repelled by Boubacar Gaye, at the 36th minute.

Antonio Conceiçao and his men had to break the scorpions, and they had to do it quick. The opener came five minutes after the pose, as the scorpions’ defense got beat by a routine cross from Fai Collins, headed past Boubacar Gaye by Toko Ekambi.

Tom Saintfiet had to do some changes with his team running out of time. The gaffer, brought on; Ebrima Colley, Darboe and Modou Barrow, to try and search for an equaliser.

Saintfiet’s changes counted for nothing as the Lions extended their lead after some free flowing stuff on the left, with Ekambi turning in for his second at the 57th minute, completing his brace.

The Lions had further chances to extend their lead – but they could afford misses like that of Njie Clinton, who tried to lob the goalie, in the second half added-on time.

The Scorpions head home with their heads held up high after a fantastic AFCON debut. For team Cameroon, they will have few days to rest before facing either of Morocco or Egypt in the semis on Wednesday.