AFCON gets underway as hosts Cameroon beat Burkina Faso 2-1 in opener
Hosts Cameroon came from behind to beat Covid-ravaged Burkina Faso 2-1 with Captain Vincent Aboubakar scoring a brace of penalties in the opening game of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Yaounde on Sunday.
Gustavo Sangare had given Burkina Faso the lead in the Group A match at the Olembe Stadium, but Aboubakar equalised from the spot five minutes before the interval after a VAR review.
The 29-year-old, who netted the winner in the 2017 Cup of Nations final against Egypt, then scored what proved to be the decider in first-half stoppage time and he was only denied a hat-trick by an offside flag after the break.
In the second Group A match, Julio Tavares scored the only goal that helped Cape Verde defeat 10-man Ethiopia.
Following the win, Cape Verde move to second in Group A with three points behind Cameroon.
Ethiopia sit at the bottom behind Burkina Faso who also have no point.
The Walias face Cameroon for their next fixture on January 13 while Cape Verde a date with Burkina Faso later on Thursday.
