Cameroon, like different African nations, had a difficult highway simply to get to the World Cup. Pitted towards mighty foe Ivory Coast, Cameroon would absolutely have a troublesome time qualifying for the third time. It proved robust on the second matchday of the group stage. Ivory Coast knocked off Cameroon, 2-1.
But, Cameroon rallied again. The Indomitable Lions went unbeaten in four-straight video games. Ultimately, it arrange a one-off sport with the West African rivals to achieve the ultimate playoff part.
Though Cameroon had the assist of a frenzied Douala crowd, the sport was even more durable than marketed. The one factor stopping parity within the deadlocked sport was Karl Toko Ekambi’s first-half aim. The match ended 1-0, sending Cameroon to the third spherical.
Cameroon’s grind by way of its qualifying group yielded a two-legged tie that proved to be tougher. A sport towards Algeria and its talisman Riyad Mahrez.
An all-time traditional towards Algeria
Cameroon went down early to Islam Slimani’s Fortieth-minute aim at house and couldn’t make up the deficit. Cameroon entered its away leg trailing, 1-0.
But, Eric Maxim Choupo-Mouting confirmed up. Pouncing on a deflected nook kick, the now-Bayern attacker calmly slotted the ball into the online. Neither Algeria nor Cameroon might rating by the tip of the ultimate whistle, so the match went to additional time.
After all, there have been shut shaves. Youcef Belaili stuttered a 2-on-1 proper after Choupo-Mouting’s strike. Additionally, Martin Hongla scuffed an try and put Cameroon forward, however each side acquired new possibilities as additional time commenced. Algeria’s Ahmed Touba made full use of it, flicking a header into the Cameroonian internet within the 118th minute.
So, as Collins Fai boomed an oblique free kick into the field six minutes later, most Cameroon followers misplaced hope. The gang quieted right into a pessimistic whisper.
Then, Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui performed a by way of ball to Toko Ekambi off the correct free kick. Toko Ekambi slammed it into the online within the 124th minute. Simply as he secured Cameroon’s spot on this part of qualifying, he launched Cameroon into the World Cup after lacking out on 2018. Total, it’s the nation’s eighth journey tp the match.
Whereas reaching the competitors out of African is an achievement by itself, Cameroon doesn’t have overly nice recollections on the World Cup. The truth is, the aspect’s checklist win on the World Cup was again in 2002. But, an explosive, new-look Cameroon staff appears to duplicate Cameroon’s historic 1990 World Cup run. That Cameroon staff beat South American giants Argentina and Colombia en path to the quarterfinals.
Cameroon key gamers on the World Cup
Vincent Aboubakar
Vincent Aboubakar isn’t probably the most well-known out of Cameroon’s 26-man squad for the World Cup. That being stated, he’s a very powerful. The Al-Nassr striker carried Cameroon by way of the most recent AFCON. Within the match, he scored eight objectives, adequate for the match’s golden boot.
With a Haaland-like construct and modern ending abilities, it will be an understatement to name him offensively adept.
After two fruitless years with Porto that adopted his profitable, league-winning season, Aboubakar transferred to Besiktas in 2020. There, he scored 15 objectives within the season, tied-fifth within the Turkish Tremendous Lig, earlier than leaving Turkey for a profitable Saudi Arabia stint with Al-Nassr. To date, his keep in Saudi Arabia has been mediocre at greatest and miserable at worst. To be truthful, his worldwide profession is the higher angle to take a look at for Aboubakar. An upcoming pleasant tune-up earlier than the World Cup towards Panama is more likely to be his 91st cap. In that sport, he can usurp Patrick M’boma as the only holder of third on Cameroon’s all-time scoring checklist.
Aboubakar’s success arguably solely comes with the assistance of a extra artistic attacker who can drop again and create area for Aboubakar. At Porto, that was Yacine Brahimi or Rachid Ghezzal. The rationale Aboubakar struggles at Al-Nassr is that he doesn’t have a artistic maestro to assist him mastermind his objectives. Cameroon lacks that inventive ahead to assist Aboubakar knock some objectives in, which would be the largest query that Cameroon must resolve. Toko Ekambi or Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting should revive that goal-scoring type of years prior.
Andre Onana
Regardless of what stats may say, Andre Onana is arguably Serie A’s greatest shot-stopper. In a 2-0 loss towards German giants Bayern Munich on this season’s Champions League, Onana saved 10 makes an attempt. His heroic efficiency at Camp Nou yielded seven saves. After all, critics level to the three objectives he conceded as his drawbacks. Merely, he saved Inter in that sport at occasions.
Inter received six occasions and misplaced as soon as when he performs in Serie A. Even with a considerably worse Cameroonian staff, Onana proves himself. He conceded solely twice in a decent home-and-away sequence towards Algeria. Previous to that, at AFCON, he placed on an impeccable goalkeeping efficiency. The lone blemish was a 3-3 sport towards Burkina Faso.
Onana instructions a Cameroonian protection in want of a veteran chief. Nicolas Nkoulou and Collins Fai are good leaders who can information the again line. Neither play on the highest degree of aggressive soccer like Onana. The goalkeeper must step as much as put Cameroon within the knockout spherical.
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa
Anguissa is Cameroon’s greatest midfielder. He began 13 video games for Napoli, scored twice, and assisted thrice. And Anguissa has completed all of it as a defensive midfielder. After all, Anguissa has highlights on offense, however his protection may be higher. He has the tenth most blocks in Serie A (21), an correct passing completion share (87.6), and 23 tackles.
Anguissa is as reliable for Cameroon as he’s for Napoli. Regardless of lacking a World Cup showdown with Algeria because of harm, Anguissa missed solely eleven minutes in Cameroon’s run to 3rd place in AFCON. Anguissa is as irreplaceable as Onana or Aboubakar due to his bodily attributes and stamina, which is able to assist him on each side of the ball.
Enjoying out Group G
With out mincing phrases, Cameroon’s probabilities of escaping Group G are near none.
Switzerland
The primary match is a decent opener towards Switzerland. Switzerland received its final three video games, all towards stark opposition. Portugal, Spain, and the Czech Republic. The Swiss can beat prime groups as they did in Euros towards France, and so they persistently shut down Italy throughout World Cup qualifying to make it to Qatar.
Switzerland’s stifling protection shall be Cameroon’s largest risk, particularly contemplating its reliance on an overwhelming offense. Cameroon can break down Switzerland’s compact protection by taking notes from Portugal’s 4-0 demolition within the Nations League.
Fast counterattacks and flurries of motion compelled Switzerland into motion, letting Cristiano Ronaldo wreak havoc and trigger chaos. If Aboubakar can transfer the Switzerland center-backs out of place, Cameroon has a preventing likelihood of getting a number of factors out of the Swiss.
Serbia
Cameroon’s subsequent opponent, Serbia, has not misplaced in 5 video games. Their potent combination of goalscoring expertise in Alexsandar Mitrovic, Dusan Vlahovic, and Luka Jovic bodes properly. Then, the suppliers to these shops, Dusan Tadic, Sergej and Filip Kostic make for a relentless risk throughout the entrance six.
The squad is stacked. It’s nearly stunning why the world failed to note Serbia’s energy till after it beat Portugal to safe an computerized World Cup berth. Onana should work extra time defending towards what’s going to in all probability be a flurry of Serbian photographs.
Brazil
Cameroon’s dreaded opponent is definitely the World Cup favourite. Maybe the very best entrance on this planet of soccer. Neymar, Vinícius Junior, Richarlison, Antony, Raphinha, Gabriel Jesus and Rodrygo simply as examples. Defensively, there may be expertise by way of Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Alisson, Eder Militao and extra. Brazil final misplaced within the 2021 Copa America Last.
Just lately, Brazil smashed 5 previous South Korea earlier than narrowly beating Japan. Different friendlies featured eight objectives towards fellow African World Cup groups Ghana and Tunisia.
Sure, Cameroon is an effective staff on the World Cup. Brazil is assuredly higher. Supervisor Rigobert Track is aware of that, and a conservative protection will see the pitch once they face the Selecao.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Sebastian Frej
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