Low-rated Guinea pulled one of the biggest surprises at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after holding five-time champions Cameroon 1-1 in a Group C fixture on Monday at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro despite
Guinea, ranked 80th in the world, playing the second half with 10 men had threatened a real shock when Mohamed Bayo fired them into an early lead.
But they had to play the entire second half a man light after skipper Francois Kamano stamped on Frank Magri’s heel.
Mohamed Bayo gave Guinea the lead before captain Francois Kamano was sent off just before half-time. Frank Magri equalised early in the second half, but a winning goal eluded Cameroon.
The brave Guinean showing on day three followed a string of unexpected results on Sunday with Cape Verde defeating Ghana, Mozambique holding Egypt and Equatorial Guinea drawing with Nigeria.
Earlier on Monday, Lamine Camara scored twice as title-holders Senegal outplayed Gambia 3-0 with the losers also having a player sent off late in the first half.
Cameroon who were seeking a sixth AFCON title were without two of their big names Vincent Aboubakar and goalkeeper Andre Onana after he arrived in Yamoussoukro just a few hours before the kick-off.
Onana delayed his arrival so that he could play for United in a 2-2 Premier League draw against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Coach Rigobert Song chose Fabrice Ondoa as his starting goalkeeper with two other shot-stoppers, Devis Epassy and Simon Ngapandouetnbu, on the bench.
