Cameroon's player Vincent Aboubacar (L) shoots against Mauritania goalkeeper Ibrahim Soulyemane (R) on June 14, 2015 at the Mamadou Ahidjo stadium in Yaounde during their 2017 African Cup of Nations qualification match (AFP)
Cameroon came from behind twice to earn an exciting 2-2 draw at home to South Africa and deal a severe blow to the visitors' chances of reaching next year's African Cup of Nations in Gabon.
South Africa took the lead after 17 minutes when Tokelo Rantie latched onto a defence-splitting pass to round the keeper and slot into an empty net.
Sebastien Siani leveled the score on the stroke of halftime when he capitalized on a half-hearted defensive clearance to send a superb volley into the corner of the net from the edge of the area.
Hlompo Kekana restored South Africa's advantage on 50 minutes in stunning fashion, launching a long ball from his own half into the back of the net after spotting the keeper off his line.
However, Cameroon's Nicolas N'Koulou secured a share of spoils in the 67th minute when he rose unmarked to head home a free kick from the left.
The draw kept Cameroon on top of their group with seven points, one ahead of Mauritania who defeated Gambia (1 point) 2-1 on Friday.
South Africa's hopes are fast fading as they lie third on two points with three matches remaining.
Morocco moved top of F with nine points after a first-half penalty from Youssef El Arabi gave them a 1-0 victory over Cape Verde, who have six points, in a top-of-the-group clash.
In Group B, DR Congo moved top with six points after beating Angola (second with four points) 2-1, thanks to a last-gasp goal from Cheikh Moulaye Khalil who had 36th-minute opener cancelled out by Mustapha Carayol on the hour mark.
All the group winners and the best two second-placed teams will reach next year's Nations Cup in Gabon.
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