In the match for third place, Cameroon was almost hopelessly behind 3:0 against Burkina Faso, but then the indomitable lions reared back and forced the penalty shoot-out. The hosts prevailed in the shoot-out and thus ensured a conciliatory ending to the tournament.
Cameroon coach Toni Conceicao gambled and relied on an almost completely renewed team for the third-place match. Top attackers Toko Ekambi and Aboubakar also found themselves on the bench. That shot backfired as the indomitable Lions came across as quite tame in Yaoundé.
After a half-decent start, the game broke down for the favourites, who were then almost overrun by Burkina Faso. Les Etalons took the lead through Yago (24th) and also benefited from a blunder by Cameroon’s goalkeeper Onana (43rd). When Ouattara made it 3-0 after the break (49th), it seemed the game was already over.
All respect to Aboubakar
However, Cameroon came back in the closing stages – and with success. First Bahoken proved to have the right nose for a corner and scored to make it 1:3 (71.), before the substitute Aboubakar first scored the equaliser – again from a corner kick – (85.) and only a short time later added the much celebrated 3:3 (87.).
This goal is likely to be the subject of further discussion, because Aboubakar had pushed his opponent Ouattara very slightly. The latter then collided with the rushing goalkeeper Ouedraogo, who in turn flew past the ball. Aboubakar then slotted into the empty net. The goal was long checked by the VAR and counted (87th).
So while Aboubakar scored his eighth goal of the tournament and will almost certainly be the top scorer, Burkina Faso goalkeeper Ouedraogo had to come off injured. Sawadogo came on and had only a few minutes to warm up for the penalty shoot-out. Sawadogo then failed to react quickly, while Cameroon’s Onana saved from Touré to lead his team to third place.
As in the semi-final against Egypt (1:3), Cameroon had to go through the lottery, but this time the momentum was on the side of the hosts due to the furious course of the game.
