The never ending drama continues at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after another suspenseful conclusion to Group C! Cameroon are through to the Round of 16 after scoring two goals in the final ten minutes to complete a comeback 3-2 victory over The Gambia, with Christopher Wooh’s header in second half stoppage time sending the Indomitable Lions through as group runners-up. In the other match, Senegal confirmed a perfect record and their status as group winners with a 2-0 victory over Guinea.
Cameroon and The Gambia needed victories to advance out of the group and after a rather uneventful first half in Bouaké, the match transformed into a breathtaking duel in the second half. Karl Toko Ekambi nodded in a Georges-Kévin N’Koudou cross in the 56th minute, a goal that was answered by Gambian attacker Ablie Jallow who volleyed in a 72nd minute cross from Alieu Fadera.
It appeared the Scorpions might snatch the victory when Ebrima Colley put his team ahead in the 85th minute. However a quick response from the Indomitable Lions saw an own goal from Gambia defender James Gomez less than two minutes later then N’Koudou’s corner kick service set up a header from Christopher Wooh in the first minute of second half stoppage time to spark wild celebrations from the Cameroonian team and their supporters. Gambia appeared to shockingly respond when Muhammed Sanneh appeared to head in a corner kick but VAR discovered that Sanneh used his hand to direct the ball into the goal.
Things were relatively more subdued in Yamoussoukro as Senegal clinched top spot and a perfect record in the group stage. A scoreless first half gave way to Senegal snatching the lead after the hour mark through a header from Abdoulaye Seck from a free kick service provided by Krépin Diatta. Iliman Ndiaye confirmed victory for the Lions of Teranga with his low finish past Guinea goalkeeper Ibrahim Koné in the 90th minute. Guinea drop down to third place in the group but still advance as one of the four best third place teams.
Highlights from yet another suspenseful conclusion in Group C are below.
Cameroon 3-2 The Gambia
Senegal 2-0 Guinea
