Mbeumo secures Cameroon win but Indomitable Lions are still second

When you are among the best African team like Cameroon is, you are always expected to deliver. And when you play qualifications, a first place is always expected. But the Indomitable Lions lost to Cabo Verde in the last found of the World Cup qualifications and today’s game with Mauritius were important in their quest to get back to that first spot in Group D, thus avoiding the playoffs in order to qualify.

The hosts were already out of the competition but they put up a good fight and forced Cameroon to really try to score that winning goal. Despite numerous international starts in their team, the Indomitable Lions ended the game with only two goals, mainly thanks to a massive Dodos’ mistake: Mauritius - Cameroon 0-2.

Cabo Verde managed a late draw in Lybia after being down 3-1 and Cameroon’s win still means that they need a triumph in the last round against Lybia, hoping that Cabo Verde will stumble against last-placed Eswatini. Cameroon struggled to get any chances for most of the game and even thou the game was important for them, coach Marc Brys decided to leave some stear players on the bench, so players like Bryan Mbeumo, Frank Anguissa and Vincent Aboubakar were resting for much of the game.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting led the line but only had one good opportunity which he missed. In the absence of star players, it was Bassogog and Ngamaleu who provided the win, before Mbeumo came and secured all three points. First surprise happened in the 55th minute when Bassogog found Nicolas Moumie Ngamaleu in the penalty area. Dynamo Moscow player made a dribbling but his shot was saved by Chiotti. But the next time, Ngamaleu was on spot. In the 57th minute, Mauritius made a terrible mistake. Bassogog crossed the ball again but Jordan Francois didn’t head the ball away from the penalty spot or to the corner, but directly to Nagamaleu’s feet and he found it easy to score.

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Just 40 seconds later, the Dynamo winger assisted to Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who took a shot from close range but Francois saved it. The Dodos finally had a proper chance (their first one) 15 minutes before the end, when Latouchent crossed the ball from the left, Aristide headed it to Arthee but his shot was saved by Onana. Mbeumo was introduced 15 minutes from time and after missing the goal from the free kick in the 85th minute found the net in injury time. Bassogog started the action again and found Manchester’s forward with a deep ball. Mbeumo took a straight shot, Chiotti saved it, but the rebound came to Mbeumo again and it was an easy score.

WC QUALIFICATION AFRICA - MATCHDAY 9

Wednesday

Eswatini - Angola 2-2 (0-0)

/Figuareido 48,54 - Buatu 69, Papel 80/

Ethiopia - Guinea B. 1-0 (1-0)

/James 27/

Libya - Cape Verde 3-3 (2-1)

/Lopes 1 og, Al Mariami 42, Al Shalui 58 - Arcanjo 29, Cabral 76, Semedo 82/

Mauritius - Cameroon 0-2 (0-0)

/Ngameleu 57, Mbeumo 90+2/

19.00: (20.0) Cental African Republic (7.50) Ghana (1.15)

19.00: (16.0) Chad (6.25) Mali (1.20)

19.00: (2.40) Comores (3.00) Madagascar (3.30)

19.00: (40.0) Djibouti (15.0) Egypt (1.03)

19.00: (5.50) Sierra Leone (3.50) Burkina Faso (1.70)

22.00: (2.00) Niger (3.35) Congo (4.00)

22.00: (3.40) Tanzania (3.10) Zambia (2.30)

***odds are subject to change***