Cape Verde failed to bag their second win as they drew 1-1 with hosts Cameroon in their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, Group A encounter at Paul Mbiya Stadium on Monday night.
The draw for Pedro Leitão Brito’s side leaves them sitting at number three in the group with four point after one win, one draw and one loss after eight-year absence from the tournament.
The Blue Sharks will have to wait to see if they advance into the round of 16 as one of the top-ranked third-place teams while Cameroon finished on top of the group with seven points.
Cape Verde had the chance to go in front in the first five minutes, but Lisandro Semedo was unable to connect with a back-post delivery from the right-hand side.
Vózinha showed up with a stern save to keep out Michael Ngadeu’s close-range strike on 13 minutes, as the Indomitable Lions continued their strong opening.
The Blue Sharks custodian was at it again just before the 25th minute with a stomping save off Nicolas Moumi Ngamale thumping drive from afar.
Cameroon went ahead on the on 39th minutes when Vincent Aboubakar latched onto the loose ball and drove a low, left-footed shot into the back of the net after capitalizing from Cape Verde poor defence.
Vincent Aboubakar of Cameroon celebrates scoring their first goal during Cameroun versus Cap Verde, African Cup of Nations, at Olempe Stadium on January 17, 2022. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Cape Verde threatened for an equalizer following the last five minutes of the half as Dylan Tavares went close with an acrobatic overhead kick from a looping ball in the area.
The Blue Sharks got off to an encouraging start in the second half and also managed to force Andre Onana into a fine reaction save in the 49th minute.
Cape Verde equalised eight minutes after the break as half-time substitute Meddy Rodrigues stylishly flicked home.
Cameroon edged closer to a second minutes later following a looping free-kick from the far side of the right area, but the effort went wide.
After a quiet spell James Léa Siliki could have secured victory for Cameroon in the latter stages of the second half but the midfielder fired his effort well wide of the mark.
Cape Verde pushed for a late winner, but the Indomitable Lions defence managed to hold out, as both sides walked away with a point.
Cameroon will face a third-place finisher from Group C, D or E in the Round of 16, while Cape Verde face a wait to see if they will progress as one of four best third-placed sides.
The Line-ups:
Cape Verde: Vózinha; Jeffry Fortes, Stopira, Pico, Dylan Tavares, Diney (Steven Fortes 83), Patrick Andrade, Jamiro Monteiro (Erikson Lima 78), Kenny Rocha Santos (Willis Furtado 78), Lisandro Semedo (Gary Rodrigues 46), Willy Semedo (Joao Paulino 67)
Cameroon: A. Onana; M. Ngadeu, Collins Fai (Olivier Mbaizo 88), H. Moukoudi, N. Tolo, Samuel Gouet (Jean Onana 88), Pierre Kunde (James Siliki 61), A. Zambo Anguissa, Ngamaleu (Eric Choupo-Moting 70) V. Aboubakar, K. Toko Ekambi (Clinton Njie 69)
