By Metohuey Michael Adoglo
Cameroon came from behind to beat Burkina Faso 2-1 in an incident-packed opener at the Africa Cup of Nations.
An acrobatic volley from Gustavo Sangare put the Burkinabe ahead midway through the first half in Yaounde.
But two unerring penalties from captain Vincent Aboubakar turned the game around for the hosts before half-time.
Indomitable Lions keeper Andre Onana made two crucial second-half saves as Toni Conceicao’s side opened their Group A campaign with victory.
A Cape Verde side hit by Covid-19 cases saw off 10-man Ethiopia 1-0 in the day’s second game in the Olembe Stadium, with striker Julio Tavares scoring a powerful header in first-half stoppage time.
The Nations Cup has been delayed a year by the coronavirus pandemic but, after a colourful opening ceremony, the first game served up an absorbing contest.