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Forward Karl Toko Ekambi netted a brace for Cameroon as they defeated Gambia 2-0 at Stade Japoma to prevail to the semifinal of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
Ekambi’s two goals came in the second half to put an end to Gambia’s fairy tale in this year’s tournament.
From minute one, the Lyon attacker terrorised the Gambian defence, especially the Scorpion’s Captain Pa Modou Jagne who had to go into the referee’s book with just barely half an hour played.
Ekambi was up and down the flanks, coming deep for the ball and getting himself into the box which is how he scored two fine goals on the night.
The 29-year-old will have a huge part to play in Cameroon’s success in this tournament and he’ll also be chasing individual glory as Ekambi is only one goal behind talisman Vincent Aboubakar in the golden boot race.
Cameroon dominated the match from start to finish as the debutants struggled to fashion out any chance but resorted to holding on by creating a very low blocks to make life hard for the Indomitable Lions until the second half when the defensive line cracked.
Ekambi rose high to beat off his marker to head home his first goal of the game and his fourth of the competition in 50th minute to send the crowds (that included the President of the Cameroonian Football Federation Samuel Etoo) into jubilations.
Moments later, the Lyon forward doubled the Indomitable Lions lead from close range, turning in a well-driven Moumi Ngamaleu fine cross from the left.
That goal saw Ekambi move up to five goals in the ongoing tournament, just one short of fellow countryman Vincent Aboubakar, who is on six.
2-0 it ended and Cameroon will now wait to play the winner between Morocco and Egypt.
For Gambia, their fairytale ends having made the quarter-finals of Africa’s Continental prestigious tournament in their first appearance.
