Cameroon 2-1 Comoros: AFCON hosts advance to the quarter-finals as minnows put in spirited effort

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Cameroon 2-1 Comoros: 10-man minnows – who had an outfield player in goal and their captain sent off early on – put up a brave fight as hosts survive late scare to reach AFCON quarter-finals

  • Cameroon are through to the quarter-finals after a 2-1 win against Comoros
  • Comoros were forced to play the game with an outfield player playing in goal
  • The minnows were down to ten men early on after their captain was sent off 
  • Stand-in keeper Chaker Alhadhur made a number of saves during the contest
  • Karl Toko Ekambi and Vincent Aboubakar scored for the AFCON hosts
  • Youssouf M’Changama scored a stunning free-kick for Comoros to make it 2-1 

By Reuters

Published: | Updated:


Hosts Cameroon made heavy work of beating 10-man Comoros Islands 2-1 on Monday to advance to the African Cup of Nations quarter-finals at the expense of a team who had everything stacked against them in the last 16.

Karl Toko Ekambi and Vincent Aboubakar scored the home team’s goals at the Olembe Stadium to eliminate the debutants, who were forced to use a full back in goal and had their captain sent off after six minutes.

But Comoros still put up a gallant fight and, despite the considerable disadvantage, pulled a goal back from Youssouf M’Changama with nine minutes remaining to depart the tournament with their reputations considerably enhanced.

Cameroon meet upstarts Gambia in the last eight in Douala on Saturday after they upset Guinea 1-0 in Bafoussam earlier on Monday.  

MATCH FACTS

Cameroon: Onana; Fai, Castelletto, Ngadeu-Ngadjui, Tolo; Ngamaleu (Bassogog 63), Hongla, Anguissa (J.Onana 84), Toko Ekambi (Lea Silicki 77); Choupo-Moting (Njie 63), Aboubakar (Bahoken 77)

Goals: Toko Ekambi 30, Aboubakar 70

Booked: Anguissa, Hongla

Comoros: Alhadhur; M.Youssouf (Djoudja 88), Zahary, Abdou, Bakari (M’Madi 88); Bachirou (Djoumoi 88), Abdullah; B.Youssouf (Mattoir 75), M’Changama, Mogni (Mohamed 53); El Fardou 

Goal: M’Changama 79

Booked: Bachirou, Mattoir 

Red card: Abdou 6 

Cameroon celebrate Vincent Aboubakar’s goal which proved crucial in their 2-1 victory

Ajaccio left-back Chaker Alhadhur started in goal as Comoros didn't have a recognised keeper available

Ajaccio left-back Chaker Alhadhur started in goal as Comoros didn’t have a recognised keeper available

Things went from bad to worse as Jimmy Abdou was shown a straight red in the opening minutes

Things went from bad to worse as Jimmy Abdou was shown a straight red in the opening minutes

It took 30 minutes for Cameroon to have a shot on target which Karl Toko Ekambi put away

It took 30 minutes for Cameroon to have a shot on target which Karl Toko Ekambi put away

Cameroon keeper Andre Onana was forced into a number of saves by the ten-men of Comoros

Cameroon keeper Andre Onana was forced into a number of saves by the ten-men of Comoros

Alhadhur was also kept busy by Cameroon and he is hugged here after an incredible double save

Alhadhur was also kept busy by Cameroon and he is hugged here after an incredible double save

Aboubakar added his sixth goal to his tally at the African Cup of Nations to make it 2-0

Aboubakar added his sixth goal to his tally at the African Cup of Nations to make it 2-0

Comoros players celebrate after Youssouf M'Changama scored a sensational free-kick

Comoros players celebrate after Youssouf M’Changama scored a sensational free-kick

Comoros players protest to the referee at full-time over the red card following their brave effort

Comoros players protest to the referee at full-time over the red card following their brave effort

Sportsmail’s KIERAN LYNCH provided live Africa Cup of Nations coverage of Cameroon vs Comoros, including build-up, team news and updates.