Karl Toko Ekambi’s double fired Cameroon into the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 victory over the Gambia.
The forward took his tally for the tournament to five goals, scoring twice in seven minutes early in the second half as the host nation became the first team to book their spot in the last four.
It proved a game too far for the Gambia, who had already upset the odds to reach the quarter-finals in their first ever AFCON appearance, having begun their run in the preliminary qualifying rounds.
For Cameroon, the victory was a poignant one as they returned to action for the first time eight people were killed in a crush outside their last-16 meeting with Comoros on Monday.
As with all matches since, a minute’s silence was held ahead of kick-off at the Douala Stadium and when the action began it was Cameroon who enjoyed by far the best of the first-half without managing to make the breakthrough.
Vincent Aboubakar, the tournament’s top scorer having found the net six times already, went closest to opening the scoring before the break, his powerful header kept out from close-range by an excellent block from goalkeeper Baboucarr Gaye.
The home side had to wait just five minutes after the restart, however, to break the deadlock as Toko Ekambi got up early to guide a superb header into the far corner from Collins Fai’s cross.
Seven minutes later it was effectively game over as Toko Ekambi doubled the lead, sidefooting into the roof of the net after Martin Hongla’s low ball across the face of goal had left him a simple finish.
Cameroon, looking for their sixth AFCON title, will now play either Morocco or Egypt in the semi-finals next week.
