Host Cameroon fought back from three goals down in an extraordinary comeback to eventually beat Burkina Faso in the penalties to capture third place at the Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday.

Skipper Vincent Aboubakar scored two late goals as the tournament host put together the thrilling recovery in the final 20 minutes at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium to force a draw and go on and win the third-place playoff game 5-3 in the resulting penalty shootout.

Aboubakar was brought on at halftime as Cameroon played most of its unused squad players from the start and found themselves 2-0 down at the break.

A 28th-minute goal from defender Steeve Yago and an own goal from Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana on the stroke of halftime handed Burkina Faso a shock lead and Djibril Ouattara added a third early in the second half to the surprise of the home crowd.

But Cameroon pulled a goal back in the 71st minute through Stephane Bahoken in a melee following a corner before Aboubakar took advantage of two goalkeeping howlers to score twice in the space of two minutes in the 86th and 87th.

It means he ends the tournament on eight goals.

A stunning comeback was completed as Cameroon converted all its kicks in the shootout while Onana saved one from Blati Toure to ensure some consolation for the home country, days after it was eliminated on penalties in the semifinal against Egypt.