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| Vincent Aboubakar leads the Nations Cup scoring charts with four goals from his first two games. (Photo by=BBC) |
[Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] Hosts Cameroon became the first team to qualify for the last 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations with an emphatic 4-1 win over Ethiopia in Group A. BBC Sports reported that Forwards Vincent Aboubakar and Karl Toko-Ekambi scored twice each after Ethiopia took an early lead in Yaounde.
Hotessa Dawa slid home after four minutes but the hosts were level after eight as Toko-Ekambi headed home. In the second half, Aboubakar struck twice, and Lyon's Toko-Ekambi then added his second after 67 minutes. Cameroon are certain to qualify for the next stage as one of the best four third-placed sides at the very least, but will win their group if they avoid defeat against Cape Verde on Monday. After scoring two penalties as the Burkinabe were beaten 2-1 on an opening day, Cameroon captain Aboubakar is the tournament's top scorer - with his header and tap-in taking him to four goals.
He now has a record of five goals from 10 Nations Cup games, a marked improvement from his first eight games, which produced just one goal - the winner itself in 2017 final. The Indomitable Lions, who are seeking a sixth Nations Cup title for Cameroon, have now won six games in a row - and have both feet in the last 16, with six points to their name. Cameroon had to work hard to secure their 2-1 win against Burkina Faso, riding their luck at times before the Stallions ran out of energy and ideas.
