Guinea took a shock lead in bizarre circumstances against Cameroon during the first half of their opening Africa Cup of Nations match on Monday.

Cameroon’s inclusion of several European competing players in their squad makes them one of the favourites to win the latest edition of the AFCON, however their title credentials were given an early reality check.

Guinea are one of the tournament’s minnows but what they lack in technical skill make up for in physicality as their opening goal against Cameroon showed.

There was chaos in the box after Cameroon goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa did well to deny an initial strong shot that caused the ball to break free.

Defender Harold Moukoudi lost out as he leapt into a 50/50 challenge to win the ball back and in-turn gave Guinea striker Mohamed Bayo a close-range tap-in.

Guinea took a shock lead in bizarre circumstances against Cameroon during the first half of their opening Africa Cup of Nations match on Monday

Guinea players emphatically celebrated taking a shock lead against Cameroon

The Guinea striker initially looked to have stumbled as the ball rolled into his path but recovered to get the required touch to open the scoring.

Infuriated Cameroon players demanded that the goal shouldn’t have been allowed to stand as they sought a foul on Moukoudi in the build-up that was deemed as fair play by the referee.

Cameroon were without their first-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana for the clash after the Manchester United shot-stopper was made to disembark his private plane three-hours away from its designated stop due to fog.

Cameroon are the competition’s second-highest title winner having won five AFCON cups, with their last trophy coming in 2017.

Cameroon players wanted the goal to be disallowed as they felt there was a foul in its build-up

Viewers on social media were amazed at the gaffe goal that left Cameroon trailing with some commentating on the quality of the winter tournament.

One supporter compared the goal to amateur football, tweeting: ‘What in the Sunday league is that defending?’

Another added: ‘In this country, VAR would still be microscopically analysing each frame.’

A third tweet responding to Guinea’s opening goal, stated: ‘I forgot how mad African football is!’