Indomitable Lions captain Vincent Aboubakar scored twice to give host nation Cameroon a 2-1 victory over Burkina Faso in the opening match of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon 2021.
The host came from a goal down to edge the resilient Stallions at the sold out new Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé on Sunday.
Gustavo Sangare gave the Burkinabes the lead with a ferocious volley after 24 minutes following a defensive howler in the Cameroon box.
Bertrand Traore’s inviting cross into the Indomitable Lions area was not dealt with leaving the unmarked Sangare to volley into an empty goal.
The goal shocked the home fans who rallied behind their team and 12 minutes later they were in wild celebrations after Traore brought down André Anguissa in the box for a Cameroonian penalty.
Aboubakar calmly slotted in the equaliser sending Burkina Faso’s goalkeeper Koffi the wrong way to get his side into the game.