Debutants Gambia await Cameroon in AFCON 2021 quarter-finals
The Africa Cup of Nations moves into the business end of the competition as the quarter finals kicks off with a clash between debutants Gambia and tournament hosts Cameroon.
The Gambia surprised many by making it through the group stage and into the last 16. They kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 win over Mauritania, before grabbing a crucial 1-1 draw with Mali and finishing their group stage with a 1-0 win over Tunisia. That proved enough to secure passage to the knockouts in their first appearance at the African showpiece.
A second half goal in their last 16 tie against Guinea extended the Gambia’s stay at AFCON, where they will face tournament hosts Cameroon on Saturday.
The Indomitable Lions began their group stage campaign with a 2-1 win over Burkina Faso, followed by a 4-1 rout against Ethiopia, followed by a 1-1 draw against Cape Verde.
They booked a last 16 date against Comoros in a match that saw the underdogs put on a spirited fight against the hosts despite missing several players and their coach due to Covid-19 infections. Cameroon managed to do enough to beat Comoros 2-1, but the scoreline didn’t flatter the hosts considering that their opponents played most of the match with 10 men and an unrecognized goalkeeper.
History favours the tournament hosts who are chasing a second AFCON title in their 20th appearance, but the Gambia have proved that they have the composure to overcome any opposition.
Will the Indomitable Lions roar into the semifinals or will the Scorpions end the hosts run with a killer sting?
Now this is going to be an entertaining match….the Gambian team are ambitious; and even though they might be the underdog, they have a togetherness that might shock Cameroun…in the other hand, Cameroun have experience, they are in their country with their fans and will go all out for blood…May the team that want it most win….