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Cameroon earned a comeback victory against The Gambia to book a knockout clash against favourite foe, the Super Eagles.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are now set to face perennial rivals Cameroon in the round of 16, after the Indomitable Lions forced a comeback victory against The Gambia thanks to Christopher Wooh's strike.
With no wins in their opening two encounters in the competition—a draw against Guinea and defeat to Senegal—Cameroon needed maximum points against the Scorpions to keep their AFCON dreams alive.
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21:04 - 20.01.2024
AFCON 2023: Manchester United chartered ₦89m private jet to whisk Andre Onana to Cup of Nations
Manchester United reportedly splashed the cash to keep Andre Onana for the Tottenham game.
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16:09 - 23.01.2024
AFCON 2023: Three possible teams Nigeria will face in next round
Nigeria's journey in the tournament has been closely watched, with performances that have led to both scrutiny and anticipation.
Karl Toko Ekambi opened the scoring for the Central African side, but the Gambians found an equaliser and soon, the lead. Rigobert Song's side were determined to continue their charge for a sixth AFCON title and overturned the scoreline, and thanks to a favourable VAR ruling at the death, maximum points and qualification.
How it happened
Coach Song dropped Manchester United’s Andre Onana to the bench after his shambolic showing in the defeat to Senegal, replacing him with his cousin, AFCON 2017 champion, Fabrice Ondoa.
The selected 11 of Cameroon took the game to the Gambians, but the West Africans were up to the task, creating an end-to-end affair. All the drama and goals, however, were postponed until the second half.
The Cameroonians broke the deadlock in the 56th minute when Georges Kevin-N’Koudou delivered an inch-perfect cross to Karl Toko Ekambi, and the former Villarreal man popped the ball past Baboucarr Gaye and into the net.
The opener roused the Scorpions, leading to a period of dominance in which they scored twice. First in the 72nd minute through an Abbie Jallow strike, and in the 85th minute when Assan Ceesay set up substitute Ebrima Colley.
James Gomez’s own goal in the 87th minute restored parity, but a draw was not enough for the Lions, and Wooh fired in to make it 3-2 four minutes later.
Muhammed Sanneh scored to make it 3-3 in the 95th minute almost immediately, but VAR spared Cameroon’s blushes, flagging a handball infringement in the build-up to the goal and consequently ruling it off.
Cameroon won the game and finished second place in Group C, setting up a knockout clash with neighbours, Nigeria.
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