AFCON 2021: Cameroon, Cape Verde eye second round



The shape of the Round of 16 of the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations (Cameroon 2021) will begin to emerge from today. The contenders will be separated from the also-rans as the Matchday 2 of the competition gets underway with hosts Cameroon taking on Ethiopia.


If the Indomitable Lions aspire to be the first team to cross the line to the first knock stage, they have to avoid the mistakes of their opening day game.

In the presence of the dignitaries who had just witnessed the fanfare that heralded the tournament, Burkina Faso stunned the home side in the 24th minute through 25-year-old midfielder Gustavo Sangaré.

But Vincent Aboubakar's penalty brace demonstrated the bravery of the Lions.

While Cameroon's second win will take them further in the competition, that result may see Ethiopia out of it.

A second defeat for the East Africans may see them on their way out of Cameroon unless they win their final group match well and other factors work their way.

Cape Verde, who shocked Ethiopia 1-0 on Matchday 1, have a big task on hand later in the day. They will be up against wounded Stallions. Will the Islanders re-enact their 2013 episode when they emerged from the group phase for the first time?

However, Burkina Faso understand that, if their exploits in Cameroon are to continue, the Cape Verde match is a must win.

Today's fixtures 
Group A: Cameroon v Ethiopia (5 pm), Cape Verde Islands v Burkina Faso (8 pm)

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