Cameroon were just too strong for a wasteful Ethiopia at Paul Mbiya Stadium on Wednesday evening, as they booked their spot in the knockout rounds of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations with a 4-1 win in front of their home fans.
Victory moves the Indomitable Lions up to six points in Group A and duly books their spot in the Round of 16.
Ethiopia had a quick start as they opened the scoring in the fourth minute, as umarked Dukele Hotessa met Gebremichael pass from the middle before unleashing a powerful shot past Andre Onana.
Three minutes later Cameroon found an equalizer as Collins Fai sent a cross from the right that was met by Karl Toko Ekambi who powered a header to the centre of the goal with Teklemariam Shanko well beaten.
In the 27th minute Ethiopia broke forward and Surafei Dagnachew pace almost fashioned a scoring chance when the Cameroon defence mis-judged Amanuel Gebremichael’s blistering pace.
Cameroon had attacking momentum in the latter phase of the first stanza as Eric Choupo-Moting had a chance to extend the lead ten minutes before the half-time break after going through down the middle but his sweeping effort missed the gaping net.
Ethiopia were presented with a chance shortly after the halftime break but Mesud Mohammed’s shot sailed just wide of the upright.
The Indomitable Lions went ahead on the 553rd minute through Vincent Aboubakar whose sent a powerful header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner, 2-0.
The Africa Cup of Mations hosts maintained their attacking intensity as Aboubakar made it 3-0 with a left-foot shot from five yards for his fourth goal in two games.
Ethiopia were being cut open at the back with ease, as Karl Toko Ekambi scored his second goal of the match with the back line letting the striker duck inside, with two defenders skidding into oblivion.
Indomitable Lions managed to see out the remaining 20 minutes and also introduced the likes of Ambroise Oyongo and Stephane Bahoken in the closing stages.
How they lined-up:
Cameroon: Andre Onana – Jean-Charles Castelletto, Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui, Nouhou Tolo – Collins, Andre Anguissa, Martin Hongla, Nicolas Ngamaleu – Karl Toko Ekambi, Eric Choupo-Moting, Vincent Aboubakar.
Ethiopia: Teklemariam Shanko – Suleman Hamid, Aschalew Seyoum, Mignot Debebe, Remdan Yusef – Mesud Mohammed, Amanuel Yohanis, Surafei Dagnachew – Dukele Hotessa, Abubeker Nasir, Amanuel Gebremichael.
