INTERNATIONAL: Celebrations erupted outside Yaounde's Olembe Stadium on Sunday as host country Cameroon came from behind to beat Burkina Faso 2-1 in the opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations finals.
Burkina Faso, who were without their coach, Kamou Malo, and six players who tested positive for COVID-19, gave away two clumsy penalties after Gustavo Sangare silenced the home crowd, estimated to be at around 45,000 people at the newly-built Olembe Stadium, with the first goal of the game.
Cameroon Supporter, Dikie Ernest has stated:
"I'm really moved and happy, we are not out of the woods yet but victory is reassuring for us, the Lions (full team name is: Indomitable Lions) proved they are lions, we are really happy with this victory, and we pray to god so he continues to give us the power and the strength to keep going forward until we win the competition so we can prove that Cameroon is still the number one team in Africa."
Sangare finished with his left foot at the back post in the 24th minute to hand the Burkinabe a surprise lead in the Group A encounter, but captain Bertrand Traore and defender Issoufou Dayo gave away penalties in quick succession late in the first half.
Vincent Aboubakar, who was part of Cameroon's winning team at the 2017 Cup of Nations in neighboring Gabon, tucked away both kicks for a 2-1 lead.
Burkina Faso supporter, Nufou Zadne said:
"It was beautiful, Cameroon did well, they surpassed us, they played well, we fought but they surpassed us, congratulations to Cameroon."
Organizers ended the evening with fireworks above the stadium as supporters cheered along.
PHOTO: CAMEROON SUPPORTERS CELEBRATING OUTSIDE STADIUM AFTER WINNING AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS OPENER FIREWORKS ABOVE STADIUM AFTER GAME CAMEROON SUPPORTERS SOUNDBITES BURKINA FASO SUPPORTER SOUNDBITE
