Cameroon and Burkina Faso qualified for the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday with Karl Toko-Ekambi’s double leading the hosts to a 2-0 win over Gambia before the Stallions edged Tunisia 1-0 in the late game.
French-born Lyon striker Toko-Ekambi scored twice in the space of eight minutes at the start of the second half in Douala as Cameroon played their first game at the tournament since the deadly crush in Yaounde.
His goals led to ecstatic scenes of celebration, and they were just reward for Cameroon, who completely dominated against a Gambian side appearing in their first Cup of Nations.
“We are proud to be in the semi-finals,” said Toko-Ekambi and Cameroon march on to a last-four showdown with Egypt or Morocco as they continue their quest for a sixth continental title.
The host nation’s first and only visit to the country’s economic capital in the tournament meant there was always going to be a frenzied atmosphere in the port city as fans descended on the 50,000-capacity Japoma Stadium.
10-man Burkina Faso stunned Tunisia in a shock result. Dango Ouattara scored the only goal of the game for the Stallions and was later sent off before his teammates held on to record an upset.
Ouattara, who plays his club football for Ligue 1 side Lorient, put Burkina Faso ahead in first-half stoppage-time after a swift breakaway down the right.
Tunisia, who beat giants Nigeria in the last 16, regrouped for the second half and were left furious with referee Joshua Bondo’s decision not to award them a penalty for a foul on former Sunderland flop Wahbi Khazri.
Bondo chose not to change his original decision after replaying the incident on the pitch-side monitor.
With just seven minutes remaining, Ouattara was sent off to make it a nervy ending for Kamou Malo’s men.
The 19-year-old was initially been shown a yellow card for catching Ali Maaloul with a stray elbow, before the referee this time changed his mind following another VAR review.
Burkina Faso, though, held on to dump Mondher Kebaier and co out, progressing to a semi-final against either Senegal or Equatorial Guinea.
Sunday’s matches
- 19h00: Egypt vs. Morocco
- 23h00: Senegal vs. Equatorial Guinea
