LIBREVILLE – Burkina Faso scored a late equaliser through centre back Issoufou Dayo to earn a fortuitous 1-1 draw with Cameroon in Group A at the African Nations Cup on Saturday. Dayo touched home a header from close range in a goalmouth scramble from a free kick in the 75th minute to ensure a share of the spoils after Cameroon had led at halftime.
Captain Benjamin Moukandjo converted a free-kick in the 35th minute and Cameroon squandered two more gilt-edged chances after that as they failed to press home their advantage. Moukandjo’s free-kick came after Burkina Faso captain Charles Kabore had committed a needless challenge on the edge of his box. The Lorient striker stepped up and with virtually no run up, steered a superb effort high into the net.
Cameroon had a second chance with a breakaway on the stroke of halftime after Christian Bassogog beat the offside trap and found himself running clear on goal, but Burkina Faso goalkeeper Herve Koffi made a superb tackle to deny Cameroon a two-goal advantage.
That opened the door for a Burkinabe revival which saw Banou Diawara’s free-kick set up the equaliser.
Cameroon failed to clear a hard-hit kick that bounced around dangerously before Bakary Kone steered it goalward and Dayo came through to apply the finishing touch and claim a first international goal.
The match followed the opening game of the tournament between the hosts Gabon and newcomers Guinea Bissau, which also ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
The four Group A sides will play next again in Libreville on Wednesday.
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