Karl Toko Ekambi’s quick brace early in the second half saw hosts Cameroon beat Gambia 2-0 to advance to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Toko Ekambi brilliantly led his team in front after 50 minutes, watching from the cross from the right of Collins Fai.
Seven minutes later, the Lyon striker struck again at the far post following a low strike from Martin Hongla.
Cameroon will face Egypt or Morocco in the semi-finals on Thursday, with the final taking place on February 6.
The Gambia, who were taking part in the tournament for the first time, beat Mauritania and Tunisia in the group stage to reach the round of 16 before eliminating Guinea in the round of 16.
But, in front of a passionate home crowd at the Japoma Stadium in Douala, they were totally outclassed, managing only two goal attempts in the whole game.
Cameroon must have wondered how they were going to end up goalless at half-time.
Fai fired into the side netting from 25 yards before Vincent Aboubakar – the tournament’s top scorer with six – sent a bold back heel kick over the crossbar from six yards out and peeked nearby.
He was then denied another header from close range as goalkeeper Baboucarr Gaye made an excellent save.
However, The Gambia’s stubborn resistance was broken early in the second half when Toko Ekambi passed defender James Gomez to lead Cameroon into the lead with his fourth goal of the tournament.
His fifth came soon after, when he came to the end of Hongla’s inviting cross.
Cameroon should have scored a late third when goalkeeper Andre Onana picked out Clinton N’Jie with a precise long pass, but his lob attempt was saved and then Aboubakar sent the follow-up from distance.
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