Gambia vs Cameroon LIVE: Africa Cup of Nations result, final score and reaction today
It’s Cameroon against Gambia in the first quarter-final of the 2022 African Cup of Nations as the Indomitable Lions battle the Scorpions, who will be keen to pull off another upset.
In their maiden appearance at the continental tournament, Gambia look to spoil the party against the hosts at Japoma Stadium.
Cameroon made hard work of Comoros last time out, with a 2-1 win in the Round of 16 despite the minnows playing 83 minutes with 10 men and a left-back in goal. While Tom Saintfiet’s side upset Tunisia in the group stage and then dumped out Guinea to advance to the last eight.
Gambia will have to cope without Boavista forward Yusupha Njie after his red card against Guinea, while there is also concern surrounding the availability of Ablie Jallow and Noah Sonko-Sundberg.
The hosts will be know they have a wonderful chance at a sixth African crown and they’ll hope to be led by skipper Vincent Aboubakar, the tournament’s top goalscorer, after six goals in just four matches so far. And a first-ever meeting between these sides in this tournament provides an opportunity for history to be made, including Gambia eager to replicate South Africa’s success as debutants to go on and land a place in the final four, as was the case for Bafana Bafana in 1996 - follow all the team news, live updates, analysis and reaction below:
Gambia vs Cameroon
Kick-off at 16:00 GMT at Japoma Stadium in Douala, Cameroon
Gambia XI: Gaye; Bobb, Gomez, Colley, Janko; Jagne, Badamosi, Marreh, Touray; Sonko, Barrow.
Cameroon XI: Onana; Fai, Castelletto, Tolo; Ngadeu, Anguissa, Hongla, Gouet, Toko Ekambi; Choupo-Moting, Aboubakar.
50’ GOAL! Toko Ekambi rises high to place Fai’s cross past Gaye, 1-0 to Cameroon!
58’ GOAL! Toko Ekambi hammers home a second for Cameroon after a lovely ball by Hongla, 2-0!
Gambia 0-2 Cameroon
17:38 , Dan Austin
80’ - Cameroon have been wanting to make a double change for about five minutes and finally the ball is out of play so they can do so.
Former Tottenham Hotspur winger Clinton N’Jie is coming on to replace the goalscorer Karl Toko Ekambi, while Pierre Kunde is on for Martin Hongla, who set up the second goal brilliantly.
Gambia 0-2 Cameroon
17:35 , Dan Austin
76’ - Cameroon have a break on and after some passing in midfield Martin Hongla breaks free down the right-hand side.
Rather than carrying the ball or looking to play a pass, though, he makes a slightly odd choice and hits an extremely tame shot at goal which trundles across the turf before being picked up by Gayé in the Gambia goal.
Gambia 0-2 Cameroon
17:31 , Dan Austin
72’ - Vincent Aboubakar has been relatively quiet in this match so far, struggling to find space in behind the Gambian defence and not really being brought into any build-up play by his team-mates.
Here, though, he finds a couple of yards on the edge of the box after receiving a pass and tries a curling left-footed shot towards the far corner, but gets his angles round and it flies wide by two or three yards.
Gambia 0-2 Cameroon
17:27 , Dan Austin
67’ - André-Frank Zambo Anguissa dances through the Gambia backline with a couple of excellent flicks before slipping the ball wide right to Toko Ekambi, whose cross is too deep and header clear.
The game has become scrappy since the second Cameroon goal, with the hosts happy to keep the ball moving slowly through midfield and the Gambians struggling to create anything when they’re in possession.
Gambia 0-2 Cameroon
17:18 , Dan Austin
59’ - Gambia had made a triple substitution just prior to that second goal, as they looked to alter their gameplan in order to find a way back into the game. At two down, though, even if the changes do render them more effective in attack, opening up their defence further could well mean Cameroon’s winning margin ends up being greater than the two goals which separate the sides at present.
Janko, Badomosi, Jagne went off, with Colley, Darboe and former Reading forward Modou Barrow coming on.
GOAL! Gambia 0-2 Cameroon
17:16 , Dan Austin
58’ - It’s Toko Ekambi again!
Cameroon’s movement in attack has been so much better in this second-half and, combined with poor concentration in the Gambian defence, openings have been far more forthcoming.
Martin Hongla of Royal Antwerp beats his man while running into the penalty area and plays an excellent low curling ball along the six-yard box which Toko Ekambi powers into the roof of the net.
Great technique from Hongla, and Cameroon will surely sail through now.
Gambia 0-1 Cameroon
17:12 , Dan Austin
54’ - Collins Fai is slipped in behind the Gambia defence by a through ball, but is slightly underhit and Fai has to check his run slightly to collect the ball.
He does so and remains too quick for the defender, but slices his finish into the nearside netting as Gayé in the Gambia goal rushed out to meet him.
That was an excellent chance, and could have been game over for Gambia. They need to see the next few minutes out without conceding again, now.
GOAL! Gambia 0-1 Cameroon
17:09 , Dan Austin
50’ - Cameroon finally lead in Douala!
They’ve worked the ball around the penalty area all game long and struggled to create openings, but a smart cross from Collins Fai is glanced into the far post by Karl Toko Ekambi!
It’s a wonderful header from the Lyon forward, who has been in strong form so far this tournament and also provided the breakthrough in the previous round against Comoros.
The cross was accurate from Fai but Toko Ekambi still had an awful lot of work to do. It was a header from a starting position, 14-yards out, and is the first real piece of quality we’ve seen in the match so far.
Fully deserved.
Gambia 0-0 Cameroon
17:07 , Dan Austin
48’ - Cameroon defender Michael Ngadeu has been booked for a late sliding foul on Ibou Touray as Gambia attempted a rare foray forward.
It was by no means a malicious challenge but it was reckless and the card is definitely the right call.
Gambia 0-0 Cameroon
17:03 , Dan Austin
45’ - The second-half is now underway, with the home favourites still looking for the opening goal as they try to avoid extra-time and penalties against their unfancied opponents.
Neither side has made a change at the break.
Cameroon legend Geremi expecting penalties
17:00 , Dan Austin
Cameroon legend and former Real Madrid and Chelsea midfielder Geremi is pitchside in Douala, and says he is expecting the match to go to a penalty shootout if Cameroon don’t change their playing style.
“I’m not very surprised [by Gambia’s defence],” he said. “Usually when teams reach this level of the tournament, they are well organised. It is very difficult to score a goal in the first-half. The second-half can be the same, so it could be penalty kicks in the end.”
“When I look at the team now, [the Camerron manager] could put on more players who carry the ball forward. Conceição needs players who can do more with set-pieces.”
Half-time! Gambia 0-0 Cameroon
16:49 , Dan Austin
Half-time in Douala and we remain goalless, with the smallest mainland nation in Africa keeping the hosts at arms length so far.
Vincent Aboubakar has had a number of half chances, forcing a fine save from the Gambia goalkeeper Gayé midway through the half, but by and large the Indomitable Lions have struggled to break down Gambia’s low block.
The second-half will no doubt see more of the same, with Cameroon dominating possession and chance creation, but keeping things tight and sneaking one at the other end has been Gambia’s modus operandi so far this tournament and they will be very pleased with how the match is panning out so far.
Gambia 0-0 Cameroon
16:42 , Dan Austin
The Gambia goalkeeper Gayé has been booked for time wasting, with five minutes of the first-half remaining!
Not often you see that but he was taking an absolute age over a goal-kick and the referee’s decision is justified, to be honest.
Gambia 0-0 Cameroon
16:41 , Dan Austin
The pitch is causing real issues here in Douala. The turf around the area between the defence and midfield is particularly badly scuffed and muddy looking, meaning neither side is able to operate a number ten or play well between the lines.
Both attacks look disjointed as a result and it’s difficult for them to build up moves.
Gambia 0-0 Cameroon
16:36 , Jack Rathborn
What a save!
Gaye denies Aboubakar from close range, a header unmarked again, he has to score, but another big chance passed up from six or seven yards.
Gambia 0-0 Cameroon
16:36 , Jack Rathborn
Gorgeous skill from Hongla to flick that ball back into the danger area.
Then Castelletto volleys towards goal, but it’s blocked again.
More danger, Anguissa with a clever flick, it goes all the way through the six-yard box.
Modou puts it out, no risks taken!
16:34 , Jack Rathborn
Gambia 0-0 Cameroon
16:33 , Jack Rathborn
Chance! Aboubakar again, and this time a header that brushes the left post.
It’s a combination of good movement and poor marking from Gomez to find space inside the box.
Cameroon getting closer!
Gambia 0-0 Cameroon
16:31 , Jack Rathborn
What a strike by Fai!
Slashes with pace from the right side of the area, about 20-25 yards from goal, towards the top right corner.
It brushes the net to bamboozle some Cameroon fans into thinking they’ve taken the lead.
Gaye wasn’t that close, he was nervously scrambling across before a desperate lunge. Gambia happy to allow those kind of efforts from range.
Gambia 0-0 Cameroon
16:27 , Jack Rathborn
Gaye with a big leap at a corner, commanding and crucial to relieve the pressure on Gambia.
Tolo with a bit of skill down the left and pokes the ball past Sonko to run in on goal.
But Gomez closes the space and he can’t get enough on that strike without a clear route to goal and Gaye gathers well.
Gambia 0-0 Cameroon
16:24 , Jack Rathborn
Brilliant from Aboubakar, those long legs stretching to clip the ball past several Gambia defenders.
The ball is finally controlled out wide by the corner flag and he pulls off a beautiful Cruyff turn to steam in on goal.
Pulled back to Toko Ekambi but his shot is blocked well.
Gambia 0-0 Cameroon
16:22 , Jack Rathborn
Gambia very content here, they have got bodies wide to hold up counters out wide from Cameroon.
But Cameroon appear unable to move it quick enough into the No 10 space, meaning their players lack options when crowded out by Gambia.
Aboubakar races clear down the left and Sonko hauls him back, that’s a yellow.
16:20 , Jack Rathborn
16:16 , Jack Rathborn
Gambia 0-0 Cameroon
16:15 , Jack Rathborn
CHANCE!
Aboubakar with a flick, unmarked at the near post, he has to score, but the connection is poor, a let off for Gambia.
The offside flag is belatedly raised, but Aboubakar has a sighter and Gambia cannot afford to give him that kind of space.
16:14 , Jack Rathborn
Gambia 0-0 Cameroon
16:12 , Jack Rathborn
Castelletto getting forward down the right as Cameroon try to force an overload.
But Gambia are stretching out nicely.
Two banks in front of their ‘keeper with their centre-midfielders pressing up to leave big spaces in front of the first line of defence.
Ekambi whipping in a delicious ball and after nearly 12 minutes the crowd are finally into it.
Gaye can’t gather, pressure still on, Ekambi gather an overhit cross, it’s pulled back to Ngamaleu, he strikes hard but it’s blocked.
Better from the hosts.
Gambia 0-0 Cameroon
16:10 , Jack Rathborn
Both sides pushing men up the field in possession, perhaps sensing an inability or difficult to launch the ball in behind or move it quickly out when the turnovers occur.
Gambia 0-0 Cameroon
16:08 , Jack Rathborn
Quite an uneventful start here, with Cameroon struggling to advance it much from the back.
But then a long ball over the top is tantalisingly close to Toko Ekambi racing in from the right, but it’s just too heavy and Gaye gathers.
You can tell the sticky conditions will play a part here, Aboubakar just seen on camera is dripping in sweat.
Gambia 0-0 Cameroon
16:02 , Jack Rathborn
The pitch looks a problem, of course this will be the final game held at this stadium due to its poor quality.
Ngadeu and Tolo sweeping the ball forward for Cameroon down the left.
It’s a back three for now on the ball, but it switches to a back four out of possession.
16:01 , Jack Rathborn
15:58 , Jack Rathborn
Here we go then, the atmosphere in Douala is sensational!
Such noise in support of the hosts here, can Gambia pull off a shock?
15:56 , Jack Rathborn
Joel Embiid on Cameroon winning Africa Cup of Nations or an NBA title with his Sixers
15:40 , Jack Rathborn
Joel Embiid would not be drawn on whether he would prefer his Cameroon to win the Africa Cup of Nations or an NBA title with his Philadelphia 76ers or the prestigious MVP award.
“It’s a tough one, both would be great, obviously, when you play a sport, especially basketball,” Embiid tells CNN.
“Cameroon winning or a championship? That’s a better question. Both would be great, I'm a competitor, I want to win, be able to win a championship or an MVP, there's no right or wrong answer, I'm selfish I want both.”
Joel Embiid on Cameroon winning the Africa Cup of Nations
15:37 , Jack Rathborn
Joel Embiid insists a win for Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations would be “huge”.
“It’s tough but any chance I get, on my phone or travelling, I watch,” Embiid tells CNN.
“It’s messed up, when you talk about Africa, I feel like there are double standards.
“It would mean a lot, as a country, we’ve been through a lot.
“Especially at home, it’s huge. We haven’t had any competition there for a long time, to finally get it and be able to win would be huge for us.
Gambia will focus on defence
15:14 , Dan Austin
Cameroon are unquestionably the stronger side on paper this afternoon, with players omn the books of clubs including Bayern Munich and Inter in their starting lineup, but Gambia have progressed past some difficult opponents to make it this far.
They knocked out Naby Keita’s Guinea in the previous round and beat Tunisia on the final matchday of the group stage. They have scored once in each match so far and focus on keeping things tight at the back while trying to take an advantage in one key moment at the other end of the pitch.
Bologna’s Musa Barrow and Metz winger Ablie Jarrow have two each.
Confirmed line-ups for Gambia vs Cameroon
15:01 , Dan Austin
These are the confirmed starting elevens for this afternoon’s AFCON quarter-final.
Gambia: Gaye; Bobb, Gomez, Colley, Janko; Jagne, Badamosi, Marreh, Touray; Sonko, Barrow.
Cameroon: Onana; Fai, Onguéné, Ngadeu, Tolo; Ngamaleu, Gouet, Kunde, Toko Ekambi; Choupo-Moting, Aboubakar.
Aboubakar on fire so far
14:57 , Dan Austin
Cameroon striker and captain Vincent Aboubakar, formerly of Port, has been in sensational form so far this tournament and has scored six goals in four matches in front of his home crowd.
The 31-year-old scored a double in the opening matchday victory over Burkina Faso 20 days ago, before scoring another double in the 4-1 win over Ethiopia and the equaliser in the 1-1 with Cabo Verde.
Those goals leads the Indomitable Lions to the knockouts stages, and Aboubakar scored the second with a lovely shuffle and finish past ten-man Comoros’ stand-in Chaker Alhadur in a 2-1 win.
Aboubakar’s six goals are more than any player has scored in the last 11 AFCON tournaments.
African Cup of Nations 2022 odds
14:22 , Jack Rathborn
Here are the odds for the winner of the 2022 African Cup of Nations:
Senegal 5/2
Cameroon 11/4
Morocco 7/2
Egypt 11/2
Tunisia 8/1
Burkina Faso 25/1
Equatorial Guinea 40/1
Gambia 50/1
Gambia vs Cameroon prediction
13:56 , Jack Rathborn
Cameroon are the team with the experience and it would take a lot for Gambia, a nation debuting at the tournament, to cause an upset. While it wouldn’t be impossible, after Cameroon edged past Comoros they have to be growing in confidence that they’ll make it to the last four. Gambia 0-3 Cameroon.
Gambia vs Cameroon predicted line-ups
13:56 , Jack Rathborn
Gambia: Jobe; Modou, Colley, Sanneh, Tore; Marreh, Adams, Darboe; Colley, Barrow, Ceesay
Cameroon: Onana; Fai, Moukoudi, Ngadeu, Tolo; Hongla, Anguissa, Ngamaleu, Ekambi; Aboubakar, Choupo-Moting
Gambia vs Cameroon team news
13:56 , Jack Rathborn
Gambia will be without Yusupha Njie after he was handed a red card against Guinea. On the injury front, Ablie Jallow is in doubt after he limped off the pitch and Noah Sonko Sundberg missed the match against Guinea with injury.
Cameroon, on the other hand, haven’t suffered major injuries at the tournament and so they have the pick of their team.
