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The Stade Bouake is bracing itself for a pivotal clash in Group D at the Africa Cup of Nations, as Gambia and Cameroon are set to lock horns on Tuesday.
Facing the threat of elimination from the 2023 AFCON, the Scorpions aim to disrupt the advancement hopes of the Indomitable Lions, who still harbor aspirations of progressing.
Gambia’s prospects in AFCON 2023 dimmed further after suffering a second consecutive defeat, a narrow 1-0 loss to Guinea’s National Elephants in their Group F encounter.
Despite launching seven attempts on goal without hitting the mark, the Scorpions failed to level the score after Aguibou Camara’s 69th-minute strike. Tom Saintfiet’s men, having also succumbed 3-0 to Senegal in their opener, find themselves without a point or a goal in the tournament.
The upcoming clash with Cameroon presents a slim opportunity for redemption, a chance to salvage pride, and perhaps secure their first points and goal. However, historical encounters provide little solace, with Gambia having lost all three previous meetings with the Indomitable Lions, including their last face-off during the 2022 AFCON knockout stage.
Cameroon’s AFCON campaign commenced with a 1-1 draw against Guinea, but a 3-1 defeat to Senegal on matchday two has left their round of 16 qualification hanging precariously.
Ismaila Sarr’s deflected strike and Habib Diallo’s clinical finish left the Indomitable Lions two goals adrift with 20 minutes remaining. Although Jean-Charles Castelletto’s late header sparked hope, Sadio Mane’s stoppage-time goal shattered any aspirations of a comeback.
Rigobert Song’s side sits with a solitary point from two games, facing a must-win scenario against Gambia to secure passage to the knockout stage. However, even a victory doesn’t guarantee automatic qualification, as Cameroon must rely on Senegal defeating Guinea for a shot at progressing, with the possibility of securing a spot as one of the best third-placed teams if they fall short of finishing second.
As the teams gear up for this critical clash, Gambia’s AFCON form shows consecutive losses, while their overall form in all competitions is marked by a solitary win, three draws, and four losses in the last eight matches.
In contrast, Cameroon’s AFCON form includes a draw and a loss, while their overall form exhibits one win, two draws, and three losses in the last six encounters across various competitions. The outcome of this high-stakes battle will undoubtedly shape the fate of both nations in the tournament.
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