Cameroon draw with holders Cote d’Ivoire to keep round 16 hopes alive

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Cameroon national team came from behind to draw 1-1 with defending African Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions Cote d’Ivoire and edged closer to a place in the last 16.

Manchester United striker Amad Diallo thought he had scored a second half winner for the holders six minutes after the restart but another England-based player, defender Junior Tchamadeu of Championship side Stoke City levelled scores only five minutes later to secure a vital draw.

The Indomitable Lions started the game knowing that a win will book them a place in the last 16.

Cameroon head coach David Pagou made one change to the team that beat Gabon in their group opener.

The gaffer handed Bayer Leverkusen teenage striker Christian Kofane a debut over Karl Etta Eyong, who scored the solitary goal against Gabon in the Central African derby.

Pagou’s choice almost paid dividends 20 minutes into the game Kofane’s first-time strike came off the post after Bryan Mbeumo had brilliantly picked out Junior Tchamadeu for the low cross.

That was the best chance of the Indomitable Lions in the first half. The other effort came from left-back Darlin Yongwa who hit the side netting from another Tchamadeu’s cross.

Despite creating clear-cut chances, the team struggled to handle Cote d’Ivoire’s intense start. The Ivorians started the game with a heap of confidence and enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the first half.

They almost got off to a dream start within the first minute of the game when Ghislain Konan’s threatening left-cross surprised Cameroon goalkeeper Devis Epassy and came off the woodwork.

Ahmed Diallo also curled his powerful effort wide while attempts from Seko Fofana, Vakoun Issouf Bayo and Frank Kessie failed to hit the target.

The second half was more electrifying as the game opened up more and chances were exchanged at both ends.

Danny Namaso came close to opening the scoring but was unable to find the back of the net. He first blew his close-range strike wide after Mbeumo’s cross came off the defender in the area and then hit the woodwork. He also drove his follow up strike straight to the keeper.

Cote d’Ivoire responded minutes later when Diallo collected Ghislain Konan’s pass and curled the ball past Epassy to hand his team the lead on 51 minutes.

But the joy did not last for long. Tchamadeu redeemed himself after an earlier mistake leading to his team conceding and levelled for the Indomitable Lions five minutes later.

Frank Kessie tried to restore the lead for Cote d’Ivoire but Epassy produced an instinctive save to deny the Ivorian skipper.

Cameroon continued to push for a comeback win. Mbeumo had two key chances including a free-kick but his curled strike went slightly above the post.

The Manchester United forward came close to scoring a stoppage time winner but his powerful strike was blocked.

The draw means Cameroon are levelled on four points with Côte d’Ivoire. Both teams made a winning start after defeating Gabon and Mozambique respectively by a similar 1-0 win.

The game started with both teams paying tributes to Jean-Louis Gasset who died this week. The former head coach of Cote d’Ivoire passed away at the age of 72.

“We are satisfied with the point”

Cameroon coach David Pagou praised his team for their performance and added that he was satisfied to have secured a point from the reigning champions.

“There are a lot of positives to draw from the game. We have a last match. (…) We will take this point with a lot of satisfaction and prepare for the next game,” Pagou said.

“We conceded the goal after two individual mistakes. It could have been avoided. Fortunately, we reacted well. It is thanks to the way we reacted that we were able to get a draw. We had an opportunity in the last minutes. But we are satisfied with this point,” the former PWD of Bamenda gaffer added.

Namaso on his part said they had chances to win the game in the second half.

“We had several chances. But we are happy that we were able to get a point,” Namaso said.

“We will continue to work hard. We are confident in the work we are putting in and our game” he added.

What next?

Cameroon will wrap up their group F campaign on Wednesday December 31 in Agadir against Mozambique, who beat Gabon in a five-goal thriller to secure their first-ever win at the AFCON.

Holders Cote d’Ivoire on their part face Gabon in an enthralling clash at the Grand Stade de Marrakech.

Both matches will be played simultaneously.

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