Defending champions Cameroon, kicked off their 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, on a winning note while fellow four time winners, Ghana, dropped points in Group F.
In a goal-full day in Group F, Cameroon defeated Guinea-Bissau 2-0 with ten-man Ghana were held to a 2-2 draw by their less illustrious opponents, Benin Republic.
Group F
Indomitable Lions see off spirited Guinea-Bissau
The holders were made to work hard for their three points following a spirited display from Guinea-Bissau in Ismailia stadium.
After a goalless opening goal, Cameroon netted two goals in the space of three second half minutes to break Guinea’s obdurate resolve.
Yaya Banana and substitute, Stephane Bahoken were the scorers as Clarence Seedoff’s men began their title defence on the best possible note.
It was a game the Indomitable Lions dominated and could have won by a larger margin if the trio of Christian Bassogog, Michael Ngadeu and Andre-Franck Arguissa had the shooting boots on.
Ten-man Black Stars held by Benin
While the Indomitable Lions feasted on Guinea-Bissau, same cannot be said of their rivshine the Black Stars of Ghana who failed to shine.
The Black Stars are already trailing by two points after they were held to a 2-2 draw by the Benin Republic late Tuesday night.
Mickael Pote scored a brace for Benin who took advantage of their numerical superiority, after Ghana’s John Boye was booked twice for time wasting, to earn a point against the Stars.
Benin started the brightest and took a shock lead when Pote dashing run handed them a 1-0 lead with just two minutes on the clock.
However, it only lasted seven minutes as Ghana equalised via Andre Ayew (L) before his brother, Jordan Ayew, put them 2-1 up at the break.
After the break, just when the Black Stars thought they had turned the game in their favour, they were reduced to ten men as Boye was sent off for time wasting.
That came to haunt them as Benin took advantage to level the score when Pote completed his brace three minutes after the hour mark.
With the results, Cameroon takes control of the group with three points, while Ghana and Benin are two points behind with Guinea-Bissau bottom.
Wednesday Fixtures
Nigeria vs Guinea (3:30 pm) (Group B)
Uganda vs Zimbabwe (6 pm) (Group A)
Egypt vs Congo Democratic (9 pm) (Group A)
