Toko-Ekambi goals fire Cameroon into semi-finals
Cameroon are through to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) after Karl Toko-Ekambi's double fired them to a 2-0 win over Gambia on Saturday in the hosts' first game at the tournament since the deadly crush in Yaounde.
NAMPA/AFP
French-born Lyon striker Karl Toko-Ekambi scored two goals in the space of eight minutes at the start of the second half, leading to scenes of ecstatic celebration in Douala.
His goals were just reward for Cameroon, who completely dominated against a Gambian side appearing in their first ever Afcon.
"They sat back and made it difficult for us and their goalkeeper made some great saves in the first half but we came back out in the second half, got the goals and saw it out, and now we are proud to be in the semi-finals," Toko-Ekambi said.
Cameroon march on to a last-four showdown with either Egypt or Morocco (the two were scheduled to play last night) as they continue their quest for a sixth continental title, while reaching the quarter-finals was an extraordinary performance for Gambia.
"We lost today against the new champion of Africa," said their coach, Tom Saintfiet.
"We hope to bounce back in future Afcons. We learnt a lot and we will be stronger in the future."
Tragic crush
The host nation's first and only visit to the country's economic capital in the tournament meant there was always going to be a frenzied atmosphere in this chaotic city as fans descended on the 50 000-capacity Japoma Stadium.
The Indomitable Lions had not taken to the field since Monday's tragic crush prior to their game against the Comoros in Yaounde, a disaster which left eight dead and 38 injured.
Authorities massively stepped up their security operation around the ground in an attempt to avoid a repeat.
Army officers with rifles stood atop buildings lining the route to the stadium while vast numbers of police patrolled the streets and watched over entrances.
On the eve of the game, Cameroon's sports minister announced a raft of measures aimed at avoiding a repeat of the Olembe disaster.
Those included stopping the distribution of free tickets and banning children under 11 from attending games.
The minister also urged supporters to arrive earlier, and the gates at Japoma opened five hours prior to kick-off.
In another match played on Saturday, Burkina Faso edged Tunisia 1-0 to join Cameroon in last four.
French-born Lyon striker Karl Toko-Ekambi scored two goals in the space of eight minutes at the start of the second half, leading to scenes of ecstatic celebration in Douala.
His goals were just reward for Cameroon, who completely dominated against a Gambian side appearing in their first ever Afcon.
"They sat back and made it difficult for us and their goalkeeper made some great saves in the first half but we came back out in the second half, got the goals and saw it out, and now we are proud to be in the semi-finals," Toko-Ekambi said.
Cameroon march on to a last-four showdown with either Egypt or Morocco (the two were scheduled to play last night) as they continue their quest for a sixth continental title, while reaching the quarter-finals was an extraordinary performance for Gambia.
"We lost today against the new champion of Africa," said their coach, Tom Saintfiet.
"We hope to bounce back in future Afcons. We learnt a lot and we will be stronger in the future."
Tragic crush
The host nation's first and only visit to the country's economic capital in the tournament meant there was always going to be a frenzied atmosphere in this chaotic city as fans descended on the 50 000-capacity Japoma Stadium.
The Indomitable Lions had not taken to the field since Monday's tragic crush prior to their game against the Comoros in Yaounde, a disaster which left eight dead and 38 injured.
Authorities massively stepped up their security operation around the ground in an attempt to avoid a repeat.
Army officers with rifles stood atop buildings lining the route to the stadium while vast numbers of police patrolled the streets and watched over entrances.
On the eve of the game, Cameroon's sports minister announced a raft of measures aimed at avoiding a repeat of the Olembe disaster.
Those included stopping the distribution of free tickets and banning children under 11 from attending games.
The minister also urged supporters to arrive earlier, and the gates at Japoma opened five hours prior to kick-off.
In another match played on Saturday, Burkina Faso edged Tunisia 1-0 to join Cameroon in last four.
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