Amad Diallo’s fantastic purpose was not sufficient for Ivory Coast to safe the win they wanted to verify of qualification for the knockout phases of the Africa Cup of Nations tonight.
The Manchester United winger opened the scoring after 51 minutes however, simply 5 minutes later, Junior Tchamadeu’s drive deflected in off Ghislain Konan to earn Cameroon a well-deserved level.
The draw means the two teams both have four points from their first two matches and are nicely positioned to advance from Group F.
Early drama as woodwork struck
It was a frantic encounter from the off and fewer than two minutes had elapsed earlier than Konan hit the bar with a cross that eluded Cameroon goalkeeper Devis Epassy.
Cameroon had the higher probabilities because the half progressed, Darlin Yongwa stealing in on the far publish and hitting a volley into the sidenetting earlier than Tchamadeu’s cross from the appropriate was turned goalward by Christian Kofane, bringing out a superb fingertip save from Ivory Coast goalkeeper Yahia Fofana as he deflected it on to the bar.
Ivory Coast had supplied little as an attacking menace within the opening interval however may have gone into the break in entrance had Vakoun Bayo not headed Diallo’s teasing cross over from point-blank vary.
The second half obtained off to a frantic begin with each groups lacking fantastic alternatives.
First, Danny Namaso shot over the bar after the Ivory Coast defence had made a large number of trying to cease Bryan Mbeumo’s left-wing cross.
On the different finish, Franck Kessie noticed his volley dominated out for offside after he had latched on to Bayo’s intelligent knockdown.
Amad gives calm amongst the chaos
Kessie then deflected Namaso’s shot on to the bar earlier than the sport’s opening purpose lastly arrived through a contact of sophistication from Amad.
The previous Sunderland loanee ran on to Konan’s wonderful move, minimize in and curled a superb left-footed shot into the nook.
The lead lasted simply 5 minutes as Cameroon obtained the equaliser they deserved, though it got here with a contact of fortune hooked up.
The ball fell to Tchamadeu on the appropriate aspect of the field and his shot struck the underside of Konan’s boot, flew into the turf after which up and over Fofana.
Kessie noticed a header nicely saved by Epassy and, on the different finish, Mbeumo’s 20-yard free-kick flashed inches huge of the left upright.
