A sixth Nations Cup title is on the agenda for the team of Vincent Aboubakar.
In the opening game of the Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon came from behind to beat Burkina Faso.
The Burkinabe took a lead midway through the first half in Yaounde.
The game was tied at the half thanks to two unerring penalties from captainVincent Aboubakar.
The Indomitable Lions opened their Group A campaign with a victory, thanks to two crucial second-half saves by their keeper.
Ethiopia will face Cape Verde in the second Group A game on Sunday.
There is a curtain-raiser in Africa.
The Nations Cup has been delayed a year by the coronaviruses, but the first game in the Olembe Stadium was an absorbing contest.
Steeve Yago was lucky to only see a yellow for his first-minute sliding tackle on Collins Fai, which was the first of several rash challenges which ultimately cost the Stallions.
After a period of pressure, Burkina Faso took the lead when Sangare's cross was cleared off the line by Tolo.
Traore picked up the loose ball on the right wing and crossed to the back post, where Sangare volleyed a first-time volley inside the left-hand upright.
The opening goal of the tournament was scored by Gustavo Sangare.
Five minutes before the break, Traore brought down Anguissa, which gave them a chance to score.
The penalty was awarded after a video assistant referee review, and Aboubakar stroked the ball into the right-hand side of the net.
In the first half, the hosts got a second penalty when Issoufou Dayo slid in on Tolo after he had played the ball.
The man who scored the winner in the last Nations Cup for the country made no mistake this time around as he took the penalty.
After the restart, Onana denied Traore's long-range free-kick and then denied Cyrille Bayala from close range.
The Indomitable Lions looked to put the game to bed as they were denied a hat-trick by a tight VAR offside call, while Zambo Anguissa fired narrowly wide.
The hosts are looking to win the continental trophy for a sixth time.
The coronaviruses is hitting preparations.
The Olembe Stadium had the dug-out sanitised.
The emergence of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 is having an impact on fans and players, while the mid-season timing of the tournament has received criticism from European clubs.
Fans must be double-vaccinated and have a negative test if they want to attend a game, as attendances are capped at 80% of capacity.
The restrictions did not seem to affect the crowd at the Olembe Stadium, but the coach and six other players will be missing from Monday's matches because of positive tests.
There are 19 Covid-19 cases and injuries in the squad that will make it hard for them to have 17 players available for their Group B opener against Zimbabwe.
A pair of Morocco players, Aymen Barkok and Auyoub El Kaabi, are out of the opener against Ghana due to an outbreak.
Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang will not face the debutants after testing positive for a drug.
The opening ceremony of the tournament was filled with the colors of the Cameroon flag.
The fireworks were set off.
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