Cameroon rallied back from a goal down to start the Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-1 win over Burkina Faso on Sunday evening.
The Indomitable Lions started with goalkeeper Andre Onana, while Karl Toko-Ekambi partnered captain Vincent Aboubakar in the attack.
Burkina grabbed the lead midway in the first half from a stunning side-footed finish by Gustavo Sangare following a cross by Traore, who had a header cleared off the line seconds prior.
The Stallions’ lead lasted just 20 minutes as Aboubakar levelled from the penalty spot after Traore had fouled Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa in the area upon review by the Video Assistant Referee.
Cameroon turned the contest around on the stroke of halftime when Aboubakar converted another spot-kick after Issoufou Dayo’s clumsey challenge on Pierre Kunde.
The host nation almost had their lead swept away from them a minute in the second half after Traore took aim with a left-footed free-kick, but Onana was equal to the task.
Cameroon looked to have snatched a third goal through Aboubakar inside the last 30 minutes from a loose ball in the area, but it was disallowed for offside following a lengthy review by VAR.
Fresh faces from the Indomitable Lions saw Clinton Nje replace Kunde in the middle phase of the second half before Eric Choupo-Moting came on for Toko-Ekambi.
The contest began to balance out inside the final minutes, with opportunities on both ends however the Indomitable Lions reigned victorious on the opening day of the continental showpiece.