The showdown in Bouake will see five-time African champions Cameroon lock horns against the Gambia as both teams search for their first win and crucial point to stand a chance of progressing to the round of 16 of the AFCON 2023.
The Gambia is coming off a back-to-back defeat against Senegal and Guinea, while the Indomitable Lions lost 3-1 against champions Senegal and played a 1-1 draw in their opener against Syli National.
The Scorpions have lost all three of their previous encounters with the Indomitable Lions, including their last meeting during the quarter finals of the 2021 AFCON tournament.
What can the scorpions learn from Namibia, which has beaten Cameroon twice and drawn them twice in the two countries last four meetings? Brentford striker Bryan Mbeumo is a great miss, as the forward has been sidelined for three months following an operation on his ankle. He has contributed 10 goals in 15 Premier League games. He was later joined by Aboubakar Vincent on the injury list for Cameroon, leaving Central African nation with Karl Toko Ekambi, Frank Magri, and Faris Pemi Moumbagna of Marseille as options in the attacking position.
The Idomitable Lions usually fare well in previous Nations Cup editions; winning in 2017, quarter-finalist in 2019, and semi-finalist in 2021, but they kicked off their campaign in Ivory Coast conceding four goals in two games and only scoring two.
However, a win does not guarantee automatic qualification for Cameroon, who will have to rely on Senegal to beat Guinea to sail through in second position. They could also have a chance of making it into the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams if record a win against Gambia.
Who’s joining the last-16 today?
🇬🇲 The Gambia vs 🇨🇲 Cameroon
🇬🇳 Guinea vs 🇸🇳 Senegal
🇦🇴 Angola vs 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso
🇩🇿 Algeria vs 🇲🇷 Mauritania🦁 The Teranga Lions are qualified. #AFCON2023| @CAF_Online pic.twitter.com/SpFHrkFvYb
— Lorenz Köhler (@Lorenz_KO) January 23, 2024
Key Player
Frank Anguissa of Napoli the Yaounde-born player, plays for Serie A champions Napoli and has 51 caps for Cameroon. All their play comes from the midfield, and Anguissa is the engine.
Cameroon registered two victories against Brazil in the 2003 Confederation Cup and the 2022 World Cup. Such results must stand as a motivation for the Gambian team by beating Cameroon in a tournament like African Nations. There have been lots of upsets so far, and Gambia can etch their name on Tuesday by beating the second most successful team in AFCON history.
Gambia coach Tom Saintfieit made five changes against Guinea-Conakry, and many are hoping he will field a striker after both Mohammed Badamoesi and Ali Sowe came off the bench against Guinea.
🇧🇪 Tom Saintfiet says whatever means, a win is what he and his team are going for tomorrow against Cameroon.
He is also not a happy man about the little or no chances his team is creating. #AFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/6Pxx7cu3UX
— Foday Manneh (@foday_manneh_) January 22, 2024
Cameroon will fancy a leaky Gambian defense that conceded nine goals in their last four games.
Ethiopian Weyesa Bamlak Tessema is the referee appointed to officiate The Gambia vs. Cameroon on Tuesday in their final AFCON 2023 group match.
January 23, 5 p.m. Gambia-Cameroon, Bouaké Stadium
