Burkina Faso were fortunate to still have 11 players on the pitch after just one minute of the opening game of the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.
Les Etalons (The Stallions) met tournament hosts Cameroon in the first match of the competition, which got off to a dramatic start.
Yaago flew in with his studs in the airGetty
40 seconds into the first game at AFCON, Burkina Faso’s Steeve Yago let Cameroon know he wouldn’t be taking any prisoners
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The tackle looked very painful for HonglaGetty
Just 40 seconds into the match, Burkina Faso’s Steeve Yago went flying into a remarkable challenge.
With his studs in the air, Yago made contact with the genitals of Cameroon’s Martin Hongla, who cried out in pain.
Hongla fell to the floor and the referee instantly blew for a foul.
Somewhat surprisingly though, he only produced a yellow card for the challenge.
Hongla understandably went down, but was able to carry onGetty
THERE IT IS THE FIRST GOAL OF THE 2021 AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS!
Sangare’s brilliant volley gives Burkina Faso the lead!
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Not long later, Yago was dancing as Burkina Faso broke the deadlock on 24 minutes.
Gustavo Sangare’s well-struck volley put the visitors 1-0 up, yet their lead did not last.
Five minutes before half-time, Vincent Aboubakar levelled from the penalty spot after VAR awarded Cameroon a penalty following more reckless defending from Burkina Faso.
“Cometh the hour, cometh the man!”
Vincent Aboubakar gets Cameroon level with a calm penalty after a VAR review!
Watch Cameroon vs Burkina Faso LIVE right now on Sky Sports Football pic.twitter.com/3Eek1Ha5zB
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And in added time at the end of the first 45, Aboubakar netted again from 12 yards.
This time VAR was not needed as yet another clumsy Burkina Faso tackle saw a clear penalty awarded.
As a result, the hosts went in a goal ahead at the break.
There were no further goals in the second half and the match ended 2-1 to Cameroon.
ANOTHER PENALTY!!
Vincent Aboubakar steps up again, and just like the first, he hits the back of the net!
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— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 9, 2022
