Afcon 2021: Cameroon comes from behind to beat Burkina Faso 2-1 in opening match

Captain Vincent Aboubakar converted two spot kicks as hosts Cameroon came from behind to beat Burkina Faso 2-1 in the opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Yaounde.

Burkina Faso, who were without their coach Kamou Malo and six players who tested positive for COVID-19 in the build-up to the match, gave away two clumsy penalties after Gustavo Sangare had silenced the home crowd, estimated at around 45,000 fans at the newly-built Olembe Stadium, with the first goal of the game.

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 then their captain Bertrand Traore and defender Issoufou Dayo gave away penalties in quick succession.

📹 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦

Cameroon secure all 3️⃣ points in the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 opening game against Burkina Faso courtesy of a Vincent Aboubakar brace 🇨🇲 🦁 #AFCON2021 | #CMRBFA | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/6va4gzIolP

— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 🏆 (@CAF_Online) January 9, 2022