Categories: News

Heartbreak for Senegal as Cameroon Reach Semifinal

There were dramatic scenes at the Stade de Franceville on Saturday night as Cameroon beat Senegal 5-4 on penalties to advance to the semifinals of the AFCON 2017.

Pre-tournament favourites Senegal dominated possession in the eagerly anticipated encounter and created much of the chances, but the Indomitable Lions weathered the storm and held on for a hair-raising shootout victory.

Aliou Cisse’s side created the first clear-cut opening when captain Cheikhou Kouyate saw his header off a rebound sail narrowly over the bar. Moments later, Sadio Mane cleverly set up Mame Biram Diouf whose lofted ball over onrushing Cameroon goalkeeper, Fabrice Ondoa dropped over the crossbar.

Cameroon gradually clawed their way into the game and in the 35th minute, captain Benjamin Moukandjo forced Senegal keeper Abdoulaye Diallo into a decent save.

The Teranga Lions came off the blocks firing at the restart, Mane setting up Diouf with a teasing cross but the Stoke City striker could only head straight at Ondoa.

Substitute Moussa Sow forced a number of saves from the irrepressible Ondoa as the game ended goalless in regulation time, forcing the first extra-time of the competition.

Jacques Zoua had a golden chance to settle the tie on the 105th minute after being teed up by substitute Vincent Aboubakar, but his shot from six yards was parried by Abdoulaye Diallo to keep Senegal in.

Ondoa, whose heroics have been instrumental in keeping Cameroon in the tournament, became the hero of the shootout as he saved England-based Mane’s spot-kick to send his side through to the semis on a 5-4 victory.

Earlier, two late goals from Aristide Bance and Prejuce Nakoulma handed Burkina Faso a 2-0 win over Tunisia in the first AFCON 2017 quarterfinal at the Stade d’Angondjé in Libreville.

Paulo Duarte’s side will now face Egypt or Morocco in the first semifinal on Wednesday.

This post was last modified on November 30, 2018 1:53 pm

Biyi Akangbe

Biyi is an editor at Soccernet.ng. He has been in the media industry for almost a decade and has worked with top publishers in Nigeria. He loves Sports, Games and Music! biyi@soccernet.com.ng Twitter: @its_biyi

Share
Published by
Biyi Akangbe

Recent Posts

“Every game is a battle” – Nigeria’s Lookman warns Lazio after firing Atalanta to Empoli win

Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman has warned Lazio to be ready for battle when the… Read More

10 minutes ago

NPFL: Shooting Stars end ugly 20-year record against Rangers as Remo Stars, Abia Warriors record big wins

Matchday 18 games of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) were played across the country… Read More

2 hours ago

What Tolu Arokodare said after helping Genk set a new club record with dominant win over Anderlecht

Tolu Arokodare has expressed his delight at being part of history-making at KRC Genk after… Read More

3 hours ago

Why PSG will not sign Victor Osimhen

French Ligue 1 champions PSG may decide against signing Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen, as… Read More

3 hours ago

Osimhen: Napoli star drops transfer hint as Man United and Chelsea prepare €75 million bid

Napoli-owned forward Victor Osimhen has sparked transfer speculation with a new comment about his future,… Read More

16 hours ago

Ghana 0-0 Nigeria: CHAN Eagles grab first-leg advantage in Accra against Black Galaxies

Nigeria forced Ghana to a goalless draw in the first leg of the qualifying playoff… Read More

17 hours ago