FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

Cameroon maintain unbeaten record in draw with Angola

by
Collins Okinyo
June 12, 2024

Cameroon maintained their unbeaten record in 2026 World Cup qualifying after playing out to a 1-1 draw with Angola at the Estadio 11 de Novembro in Luanda on Tuesday, June 11.

The Indomitable Lions went a point clear of Libya and Cape Verde at the top of Group D, with the Black Sable Antelopes dropping down to fifth place after the Blue Sharks beat the Mediterranean Knights 1-0 earlier in the day.

Pedro Goncalves’s side were looking to build on their 1-0 win over Eswatini on June 7, while the Central African giants went in search of back-to-back victories after they thrashed Cape Verde 4-1 on June 8.

The hosts made a bright start and threatened as early as the fourth minute when Mabululu’s shot took a deflection off Christopher Wooh to go behind for a corner.

However, Cameroon hit the front seven minutes later as Bryan Mbeumo steered a first-time shot into the bottom left corner of the net following good work on the left from Christian Bassogog.

Mbeumo went close again on 17 minutes with a first-time strike that flashed wide of the right post before Mabululu planted a header straight into the gloves of Andre Onana on 20 minutes.

Onana was also well placed to deny Gelson Dala on 33 minutes after Manuel Benson had embarked on a mazy run from the right before picking out his team-mate on the opposite flank.

Vincent Aboubakar then wasted a glorious chance six minutes before the break when he blazed over from 12 yards out after Neblu had parried Mbeumo’s cross into his path.

Angola came out of the blocks flying in the second half and Benson curled an effort from range just wide of the near post on 48 minutes before Clinton Mata lashed a first-time shot over the crossbar moments later.

Dala was just inches away from equalising on 53 minutes with a curler from the edge of the box that flew over the target, but they were level within seconds as the winger’s low cross was diverted into the right corner of the net by Michael Ngadeu.

Both teams continued to push for a second goal as the half wore on, with Fredy testing Onana from range while Aboubakar saw his angled shot deflected wide of the right post and Neblu had get down to his right to prevent Olivier Ntcham’s drilled effort from sneaking in at the near post.

Carlos Baleba should perhaps have done better when he failed to make clean contact with a cross from the left as his header went wide of the right post on 87 minutes and Wooh was also wasteful when he headed a corner well wide of the left post in the third minute of stoppage time.

Angola: Neblu, C. Mata, K. Gaspar, D. Carmo, N. Fortuna, Fredy (Gilberto 84′), Show, R. Nteka (Estrela 64′), M. Benson (Milson 74′), Mabululu (L. Joao 73′), G. Dala (Megue 84′).

Cameroon: A. Onana, J. Tchatchoua, M. Ngadeu, C. Wooh, N. Tolo, B. Mbeumo, F. Anguissa, C. Baleba, M. Hongla (F. Moumbagna 81′), C. Bassogog (O. Ntcham 19′, P. Kunde 81′)), V. Aboubakar (D. Lamkel Z3 87′).

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Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com