AFCON 2023: Dull and blunt, Onana-less Cameroon held by ten-man Guinea

Cameroon were held by Guinea|IMAGO

AFCON 2023: Dull and blunt, Onana-less Cameroon held by ten-man Guinea

Allan Damba 07:23 - 16.01.2024

Cameroon were without Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, who was left out of the day's squad, despite taking a private jet to Ivory Coast just in time for the match.

In one of the far-from-eyecatching-games of the tournament so far, Cameroon got their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign with a 1-1 draw against 10-man Guinea at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro on Monday.

Cameroon were without Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, who was left out of the day's squad, despite taking a private jet to Ivory Coast just in time for the match.

Andre Onana set to link up with Cameroon after playing against Spurs.
Andre Onana. (Photo Credit: Imago)

Despite missing star talisman Serhou Guirassy and captain Naby Keita, Guinea still managed an impressive draw against one of the favourites.

Cameroon were punished by Le Havre's Mohamed Bayo in the 10th minute. The forward saw his initial effort saved, but he slotted home at the second opportunity after Cameroon failed to clear their lines.

André-Frank Zambo Anguissa was then presented with a chance to produce an immediate response, but the SSC Napoli midfielder could only head harmlessly wide of Ibrahim Koné's goal.

Guinea's François Kamano was given his marching orders at the stroke of half-time following a reckless challenge.

With the numerical advantage, the Indomitable Lions, who had been blunt and not creative, required just six second-half minutes to register their first goal of the tournament as Georges-Kévin Nkoudou curled an inch-perfect cross onto the head of Frank Magri, who nodded home.

Rather than build upon Magri's second international goal, a lacklustre Cameroonian attack found it difficult to break through Guinea's resistance.

Cameroon will now have a daunting task in their next game as they tussle it out with defending champions Senegal on Friday.

On the same day, Guinea will want to make it four points as they take on the wounded Gambia, who suffered a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Senegal.