Hosts Cameroon came back from three goals down to defeat Burkina Faso on penalty kicks on Saturday in Yaounde to finish third at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The hosts showed character to draw 3-3 in an absorbing match against the Stallions of Burkina Faso at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo.
Skipper Vincent Aboubakar scored two late goals as Cameroon staged an extraordinary comeback to level the match and win third-place on penalty kicks.
The Indomitable Lions put together a thrilling recovery in the final 20 minutes to force a draw and go on and win 5-3 in the resulting penalty kicks shootout.
Experienced Ambroise Oyongo scored the decisive penalty kick to win it after Ibrahim Blati Toure had lost his kick for Kamou Malo’s side.
The two sides came into the match after losing their semi-final matches and they showed zeal to fight for the bronze medal.
The Indomitable Lions dominated the opening exchanges in spite of having a much-changed line-up with the tournament’s leading scorers Aboubakar and Karl Ekambi starting on the bench.
Match captain Ambroise Oyongo Bitolo found space on the left to place in an inviting cross into the Burkinabe box, but goalkeeper Soufiane Ouedraogo pushed away towards Jean Onana who fired straight at him.
The Stallions weathered the early Cameroonian dominance to break the deadlock through Steve Yago in the 24th minute.
The enterprising midfielder stormed into the Indomitable Lions box to volley past Andre Onana from Issa Kabore’s delivery.
Burkina Faso’s Abdoul Tapsoba was played through on goal but Onana was quick off his line to clear as the Stallions grew in confidence.
They doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Andre Onana bundled into his own goal Issa Kabore’s cross to give Burkina Faso a 2-0 lead at half-time.
Cameroon coach Antonio Da Conceiçao made changes by introducing team captain Aboubakar as they chase the match.
Djibril Ouattara added salt to the Indomitable Lions’ wounds when he headed in Bertrand Traore’s cross five minutes after the restart to give Burkina Faso a 3-0 advantage.
The Stallions continued to dominate the match and created few chances through Gustavo Sangare and Issa Kabore, but either failed to trouble Onana.
The hosts had to wait until 19 minutes from time to pull one back and start their incredible comeback.
Angers striker Stephane Bahoken volleyed in from close range to reduce the deficit in the 71st minute.
Three minutes later Ekambi forced a save from Soufiane Ouedraogo when he cut in from the left to fire towards goal.
Aboubakar made it 3-2 when he slotted in from the back post five minutes from time, following a mistake by Ouedraogo to register his seventh goal of the tournament.
The Al Nassr striker still had time to add to his tally three minutes from time to complete the comeback for the hosts.
Aboubakar latched on to Ouedraogo’s dropped ball to score his eighth goal and force the match to penalty kicks.
Cameroon made no mistakes from the spot as they converted all five kicks, while Blati Toure missed his kick as the Indomitable Lions finished third.
