Cameroon and Namibia complete line up for 24-team Africa Cup of Nations
Five-time African champions Cameroon added their name to the draw for next year's Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d'Ivoire following a 3-0 victory over Burundi in Garoua, northern Cameroon.
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Just after the restart, a disastrous mix-up between defender Christophe Nduwarugira and goalkeeper Onesime Rukundo allowed Bryan Mbeumo to nip in between them and slot the ball into the net.
Cameroon doubled their advantage on the hour mark through Christopher Wooh and skipper Vincent Aboubakar added the gloss in stoppage time when the Garoua-born striker thrashed in his 37th goal for his country in front of his adoring hometown fans.
The success also allowed Namibia to advance to the continent's most prestigious national team football competition as Group C runners-up behind Cameroon.
The tournament – originally scheduled for the summer of 2023 but moved due to the rainy season in the country – will kick off at the Stade Alassane Outtara in Abidjan on 13 January 2024 and culminate at the same venue on 11 February.
Senegal will go into the draw on 12 October as defending champions. They secured their first crown in 2021 in Cameroon with a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Egypt who had been seeking a record-extending eighth title.
Apart from Abidjan, stadiums in Bouaké, Korhogo, San Pedro and Yamoussoukro will host games in the group stages.
The top two from the six pools will advance automatically to the last-16 knockout stages where they will be joined by four of the best teams who finish third.
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