Hosts Cameroon became the first team to qualify for the last 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a 4-1 win over Ethiopia in Group A.
Ethiopia scored first to silenced the home crowd just four minutes into the game through Dawa Hotessa who rounded off a beautiful passing move past Onana.
The lead was cut short four minutes later when Cameroon hit back before the opponent could settle, Karl Toko Ekambi met Collins Fai’s cross with a superb header that restored parity after Aboubakar’s fierce shot was saved.
Ekambi could have doubled the lead before halftime but clattered the woodwork with a towering header while Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu had a goal ruled out for offside.
An end-to-end affair was turned to a one sided affair when Cameroon took the lead for the first time in the 53rd minute as Aboubakar powerfully headed home from another Fai’s cross.
90 seconds later, Ethiopia lost total concentration as they were caught unguarded and Aboubakar converted from a close range tap-in, recording a brace in two minutes.
With his brace, Vincent Aboubakar now has four goals in two games of this year’s tournament and became Cameroon’s first player to score in three consecutive AFCON games since Samuel Eto’o in 2008.
The 29-year-old scored twice from the spot kick against Burkina Faso in opening game and bagged another brace against Ethiopia as the hosts search for its sixth AFCON title.
Ekambi forced two saves out of Teklemariam Shanko, but he would not be denied a third time, after dribbling round two defenders before firing into the bottom corner as he extends the lead to 4-1 with his brace. His stellar performance did not go unnoticed as he’s voted Man Of The Match.
Substitute Bezabih Melayu missed a sitter to restore Ethiopia hope as they are potentially out after successive defeats.
The result leaves the ‘Indomitable Lions’ top of Group A with six points from two games.
Cameroon still remain unbeaten in Yaoundé in 33 years. If they win their last group game against Cape Verde and/or top Group A they will also play their round of 16 game there and then potential semi-final and final matches in their fortress, Yaoundé.
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