CAIRO, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Defending champions Cameroon started their African Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign with a 2-0 win over Guinea Bissau in their Group F opening match in Egypt's Ismailia on Tuesday night.
In the last AFCON edition in 2017, six of Cameroon's seven goals were scored after the 59th minute and that tradition seemed to continue as second half goals from Yaya Banana and substitute Stephane Bahoken saw them pick their first three points of the campaign.
On the balance of chances, the Indomitable Lions, who are seeking a sixth African title, should have been ahead by halftime.
Christian Bassogog had the first chance after just seven minutes when he raced to a looped ball from deep in midfield but his left footed shot from inside the box went over.
In the 20th minute they had their first shot on target when Michael Ngadeu's header off an Eric Choupo Moting cross went straight to the keeper.
Cameroon continued pressing and had a clear chance to break the deadlock on the half hour mark but Anguissa missed a sitter. Karl Toko Ekambi made a good run on the left before cutting back a cross, but Anguissa placed his shot wide with the keeper off his line.
Guinea Bissau had two chances in the first half, first Judilson Gomes' shot from distance flying just above the target, and second Juary Soares' overhead kick looped over.
In the second half, Clarence Seedorf's men were off to a powerful start and got their opening goal in the 66th minute, Banana bouncing a header at the backpost off an Ekambi corner.
They doubled their lead three minutes later when Bahoken slammed the ball home just two minutes after coming on.
Cameroon's next game is against Ghana on Saturday. Enditem