No one can accuse him of starting the game slowly
Burkina Faso defender Steeve Yago somehow escaped a red card just 38 seconds into the opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Host nation Cameroon kicked-off the tournament against Burkina Faso on Sunday, with Toni Conceição’s side securing a 2-1 victory to make a positive start to their campaign.
The game itself was an extremely lively one, which saw its first controversial moment less than one minute into the tie as Yago made a crunching tackle on Cameroon’s Collins Fai, which saw him requiring treatment.
Yago – who plays for Cypriot First Division club Aris Limassol – received a booking for his challenge, but it would be more than fair to say that the centre-back could’ve easily seen red.
There is so much going on here, I don't know where to begin. It's definitely a red though pic.twitter.com/3gxGObYRdh
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) January 9, 2022
The early incident clearly rocked the home side as they struggled to stamp their authority on the game, leading to Burkina Faso taking a shock lead through Gustavo Sangaré in the 24th minute.
Aston Villa winger and Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traoré saw his header cleared off the line, with Sangare mis-judging his initial strike on the rebound before finishing well past André Onana – who somehow missed the ball.
The first goal of #AFCON2021 in all its glory
Onana clearly still a bit rusty after nine months on the sidelines 😬 pic.twitter.com/ZCyzVuH0dn
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) January 9, 2022
However, Cameroon responded well and were level in the 40th minute courtesy of captain Vincent Aboubakar’s penalty. André-Frank Zambo Anguissa went down inside the area after a challenge from Traoré, with VAR quickly awarding the spot-kick.
"Cometh the hour, cometh the man!" 🙌
Vincent Aboubakar gets Cameroon level with a calm penalty after a VAR review!
📺 Watch Cameroon vs Burkina Faso LIVE right now on Sky Sports Football pic.twitter.com/3Eek1Ha5zB
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 9, 2022
The Al-Nassr forward soon got his and the Indomitable Lions’ second with another penalty after Issoufou Dayo made an unnecessary foul inside the box.
ANOTHER PENALTY!! 😮
Vincent Aboubakar steps up again, and just like the first, he hits the back of the net!
📺 Watch Cameroon vs Burkina Faso LIVE right now on Sky Sports Football pic.twitter.com/BPL7VjFxSu
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 9, 2022
The host nation later had the ball in the net following a counter-attack, but Aboubakar’s strike was ruled out for offside.
Cameroon controlled the majority of the second period and ensured they started the tournament with an important three points.
Conceição’s men play Ethiopia in their next fixture on Thursday, while Burkina Faso face-off against Cape Verde at the Olembé Stadium on the same day.
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