Pulse RoundUp: Aboubakar, Tavares inspire Lions and Sharks in AFCON 2021
Team Cameroon and Team Cape Verde got their AFCON2021 campaigns off to a flying start on matchday 1
The 2021 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, got off to the best possible starts for the duo of Cameroon and Cape Verde thanks to their star forwards Vincent Aboubakar and Julio Tavares.
Here is a quick round-up of all that happened on the opening day of the 33rd edition of Africa's biggest football showpiece, the AFCON.
Aboubakar's brace lifts Indomitable Lions
After the beautiful opening ceremony at the Yaounde Stadium on Sunday afternoon, Turkey-based Vincent Aboubakar was a beacon of calmness as the host survived a scare to complete a come from behind win over Burkina Faso in the tournament's opener.
With the home supporters at their loudest decibels, Cameroon started on the front foot and dominated most of the opening half.
But the Indomitable Lions and their fans were silenced on the 24th minute when a poor error from their goalkeeper, Andre Onana, was deservedly punished by Gustavo Sangare to put the Stallions of Burkina Faso 0-1 ahead.
The goal seemed to have spurred the home side, who piled on the pressure and pushed for an equaliser.
They will finally reap the rewards, which came in the form of early new year presents from the Stallions as they gave away two penalties in the space of five minutes.
That man, Aboubakar stepped up on both occasions, displaying the calmness and confidence fitting of a captain, to slot home to complete the comeback and win.
Tavares's super header leads Cape Verde to first win since 2013
in the second game of the day, the little island nation of Cape Verde claimed what has become their first win since 2013 and second-ever win in Africa's biggest event after a narrow win over Ethiopia on Sunday night.
Star forward, Julio Tavares, wrote his name in gold and the history book when he netted a beautiful header just before the end of the first half to put his side 1-0.
The Blue Sharks held on for all three points to get their AFCON2021 to a beautiful and well-deserved start.
Comments
Post a Comment