The first semi-finalist of the Africa Cup has been decided – and it is the host: Cameroon deservedly won 2:0 against a weak Gambia. Toko-Ekambi was the match-winner.
Gaye, who plays for Rot-Weiß Koblenz in the Regionalliga Südwest, was again in goal for Gambia. Cameroon started without Bayern attacker Choupo-Moting, who did not make the best impression in the round of 16 against Comoros and was substituted after 63 minutes.
Thick chance for Aboubakar
The Bundesliga man saw a tough start from the bench. Cameroon were better, but not much went forward at first. The same was true of Gambia, who failed to create any goalscoring threat in the first 45 minutes. The hosts became more forceful in the course of the first half, with Fai hitting the outside of the net (29th). Afterwards, Aboubakar was in focus twice: First, the striker nodded the ball past on the left (31st), then he headed Gaye from a few metres (36th). Especially from the second opportunity he has to do more. So it went into the dressing rooms goalless.
Toko Ekmabi scores a brace
After the break, Cameroon continued to dominate – and were rewarded early on: Toko Ekambi nodded home a Fai cross from the right (50th). The hosts had everything under control and Fai almost increased the lead to 2-0 (54). The home side did not want to let anything go to waste and played even more forcefully forward. This paid off when, in the 57th minute, Toko Ekambi finished off a strong Hongla cross and scored a brace (57th).Aboubakar (six goals) and Toko Ekambi (five) have now scored all eleven Cameroon goals in the tournament. The only duo to score more goals in an Africa Cup was Mulamba Ndaye (nine goals) and Mayanga Maku (three).
With that double strike, the stage was set for the favourites. And after Gambia’s lack of attacking threat, this second goal could already be called a decision. And so it was, because the underdogs were still unable to show any danger and Cameroon, who missed the 3:0 through Njie (87th), deservedly entered the semi-finals with a 2:0 win, where Morocco or Egypt awaits them.
