The Indomitable Lions had looked down and out of contention in their Group C match day 3 fixture, especially after one draw from two earlier games and trailing 1-2.

But they still mustered enough from their reservoir to score two late goals to beat The Gambia 3-2 and advance as group runners-up to book a date with old rivals Nigeria.

They took the lead in the game in the 56th minute through Karl-Toko Ekambi to look sure for third place and possible qualification as one of the best losers.

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But goals from Ablie Jallow (72nd minute) and Ebrima Colley (85th minute) turned the game round for a The Gambia lead.

However, an unfortunate streak of events soon swung the situation back in Cameroon’s favour as James Gomez pushed the ball into his side’s net two minutes later.

With Cameroon now buoyed by the own goal which drew them level, the Indomitable Lions surged forward.

They were rewarded with the winning goal in the first minute of added time by Christopher Wooh for a 3-2 ending.

Cameroon thus moved into second place behind group winners Senegal who beat Guinea 2-0 in the group’s other match.

They displaced Guinea on goals scored after both sides had ended with four points each from three matches, and the same goals difference.

The Indomitable Lions will now meet Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Saturday in a round of 16 match at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.

Final Group C Standings

Team                               P         W        D         L         GF         GA        GD          Pts

Senegal                            3          3         0         0           8            1            +7            9

Cameroon                        3          1          1          1           5            6            -1           4

Guinea                              3           1          1          1           2            3            -1          4

The Gambia                     3           0         0          3          2            7            -5         0

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Gambia had surprised many by even making it out of the group stage in their debut participation in the tournament, before going on to eliminate Guinea in the last 16.

But the nation ranked 150 in the world — exactly 100 places below Cameroon — fell to a couple of Ekambi strikes at Stade Omnisport de Douala on Saturday.

Cameroon dominated the first half but only seriously tested opposition goalkeeper Baboucarr Gaye on one occasion through a Vincent Aboubakar header.

Lyon forward Ekambi made the breakthrough for the home side five minutes into the second half, however, with a header across Gaye from a Collins Fai delivery.

Any hopes Gambia had of prolonging their magical run further were ended seven minutes later when Ekambi got in behind to convert Martin Hongla’s cross from close range.

Egypt or Morocco, who meet on Sunday, await Cameroon in the semi-finals.

Source: dpa/NAN

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