Issofou Dayo cancels out Benjamin Moukandjo stunner as Burkina Faso and Cameroon draw

Issoufou Dayo's late equaliser rescued a 1-1 draw for Burkina Faso as Cameroon were made to pay for their profligacy in their Africa Cup of Nations Group A opener.

The Indomitable Lions looked to be on course for victory when Benjamin Moukandjo fired home a fine first-half free kick in a lively, action-packed match.

But they struggled to make the most of some good openings to kill the game and were punished when Dayo nodded in after Fabrice Ondoa fumbled Banou Diawara's left-wing free kick 15 minutes from time.

It means Cameroon failed to take advantage of host nation Gabon's surprise 1-1 draw with Guinea-Bissau earlier in the day, leaving Group A finely poised with all four sides on a point apiece after one round of matches.

Cameroon may lack the big names of yesteryear, and have had their troubles with stars refusing call-ups for this tournament, but they will still be expected to progress from what looks like being a closer pool than was initially anticipated.

Hugo Broos' side now know a victory is imperative when they meet Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday, while Burkina Faso will be buoyed by their point heading into their clash with Gabon.

That goal-saving tackle. Kouakou Herve Koffi may feel he could have done better with Moukandjo's free-kick, but his high-speed, last-ditch challenge to deny Christian Bassogog was one of the finest goal-saving tackles you will see from a goalkeeper.

The young stopper flew out of his area at such a pace that it immediately conjured up memories of Toni Schumacher's infamous 'jump challenge' on Patrick Battiston in the semi-finals of the 1982 World Cup. On this occasion, Koffi got it spot on and kept his team in it at 1-0 down. They came back to snatch a point and this type of contribution will make him an instant hero with Stallions fans.

Issoufou Dayo (Burkina Faso). Popped up with the all-important equaliser and stuck at his task of shackling the Cameroon attack alongside Bakary Kone.

BURKINA FASO: Koffi 8, Dayo 8,Malo,B. Koné,Y 7. Coulibaly 6, Kaboré, R. Traoré 7, Nakoulma 7, Pitroipa 7, A. Traoré 8, B. Traoré 6. Subs: Diawara 7, Zongo 6, Bance n/a.

CAMEROON: Ondoa 5, Mabouka 6, Ngadeu 6, Teikeu 6, Oyongo 7, Njie 6, Mandjeck 7, Siani 7, Bassogog 8, Moukandjo 8, Zoua 7. Subs: Salli 5, Toko n/a.

13' - BURKINA FASO CHANCE! Alain Traore's right-wing free-kick takes a wicked bounce on its way into the area, forcing Ondoa to get down at full stretch and push it away. It falls for Bakary Kone who lashes well wide of the keeper's right-hand post. He needed more composure there.

35' - GOAL! BURKINA FASO 0-1 CAMEROON. Benjamin Moukandjo curves a well-struck 20-yard free kick into the net as Koffi fails to get across to keep it out. The keeper took a step to his left and paid the price as he tried to make up the ground to his right.

37' - BURKINA FASO CHANCE! Great chance to level as Bakary Kone can only steer a diving header under pressure wide at the far post.

42' - CAMEROON CHANCE! Burkina give it away deep in their own territory. N'Jie jinks in from the left of the area but sees his low shot towards the near post corner kept out by Koffi.

45+1' - CAMEROON CHANCE! Bassogog is sent completely clear. The Cameroon forward looks to round the advancing Koffi who flies out of his area and launches into a stunning goal-saving tackle.

58' - CAMEROON CHANCE! Zoua eases the ball out of his feet and lets fly from 30 yards. Koffi can only push it out to N'Jie who inexplicably fires wide with the keeper on the floor.

75' - GOAL! BURKINA FASO 1-1 CAMEROON. It's all square. Ondoa spills Diawara's left-wing free kick and it's headed back into the danger zone by Kone for Dayo to nod home from close range.