Cameroon book U20 Africa Cup of Nations place after beating Gabon

Cameroon have qualified for the U20 Africa Cup of Nations after beating Gabon 4-1 in the semi-finals of the Central African qualifiers at Olembe Stadium in Yaounde on Wednesday.

The Indomitable Lion Cubs recovered from conceding the opening goal to secure victory while playing with a numerical advantage. Joachim Songue, also known as Almasi Mbaya, scored twice, while Samuel Achu of Canon Yaounde and Bengono Manga of PWD Bamenda completed the comeback.

The result means Cameroon will return to the final tournament after missing the last two editions, in 2023 and 2025.

Earlier on Wednesday, Central African Republic also secured qualification by defeating Congo Brazzaville 2-0 in Yaounde.

Cameroon and Central African Republic join the eight nations that had already qualified through the other regional competitions.

Morocco and Egypt qualified from North Africa through the Union of North African Football Federations (UNAF), while Ghana, the host nation, and Burkina Faso came through West Africa B, organised by the West African Football Union B (UFOA B).

Sudan and Tanzania qualified via the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), with South Africa and Mozambique taking the two places allocated to the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA).

Only two qualification places remain to be decided. Guinea, The Gambia, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Mauritania are competing for them in the West Africa A tournament, administered by the West African Football Union A (UFOA A).