Cameroon holds off Comoros fightback to open AFCON qualifying campaign with win

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By Beng Emmanuel Kum

Cameroon national team held off a spirited Comoros fightback to open their 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign with a 3-1 victory at the Garoua Rounde Adjia Stadium.

David Nyengue marked his debut for the Indomitable Lions with a first-half opener, while captain Bryan Mbeumo – named skipper on the eve of the game – doubled the advantage with a superb finish three minutes after the restart.

Comoros halved the deficit through Warmed Omari before the hour mark but Danny Namaso ensured the five-time African champions secured their first win. 

It was a memorable night for Nyengue who was making his international debut for Cameroon. The Esperance Sportive of Zarzis midfielder in Tunisia was handed a starting role alongside four others; Stephane Keller, Blondy Noukeu and Duplex Tchamba, who made his return to the squad after a five-year absence.

Despite the changes, coach David Pagou still had an irresistible attacking triumvirate at his disposal in Christian Kofane, Mbeumo and Namaso.

The Cameroon national team started the game as overwhelming favorites and were determine to continue their unbeaten run against Comoros.  

However, the visitors, who were eying a famous win after three failed attempts, ensured this was far from a comfortable start to the campaign for the Indomitable Lions.

After an apparently even start, the Cameroon national team gradually took control of the encounter. The host looked more likely to find the breakthrough but wasted their chances.

The Indomitable Lions had the first chance of the game but Stephane Keller fired wide from the edge of the area barley three minutes into the game.

Christian Kofane, who was a muted force in the first half, came close to the opener when a ball fell on his path after a scramble in the box following a corner kick but could not hit target.

The Leverkusen striker also failed to tap finish off with a tap in after rounding the keeper but lacked the right move to find the net.

Namaso had arguably the best chance of the game. He collected a pass from Comoros defence but fired wide while unmarked Kofane was left frustrating after asking for a pass to finish off from close range. Vice-captain Arthur Avom also attempted a low drive also missed target.

After a relentless push, they were finally rewarded when Nyengue found the breakthrough. The 24-year-old midfielder rose highest to head home Namaso’s inch-perfect cross at the 39th minute and left Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor rooted to the spot.

Comoros tried to find their way into the game but lacked the cutting edge to convert their chances. Their best chance in the first half came from forward, Kassim Hadji of Comoros after he collected an excellent left cross could not find the target. Zaydou Youssouf’s also attempted a long-range strike from a free kick but missed target.

The game jolted into life in the second half when Bryan Mbeumo doubled Cameroon’s lead three minutes after the restart.

Introduced at the break, substitute Bil Nsongo, who also made his debut with the team teed Mbeumo’s up and the Manchester United forward applied an expert finish.

Comoros responded instantly as Warmed Omari flicked home Bendjaloud Youssouf’s free-kick past Blondy Noukeu on 51 minutes. The goal injected fresh belief into the visitors as they pushed for an equaliser.

Noukeu, preferred to Simon Ngapandouetnbu between the sticks, atoned for his role in conceding and justified his selection with two crucial saves to preserve the lead.

The 25-year-old US Boulogne goalkeeper first kept out a threatening strike from Akim Abdallah before denying Kassim Hadji on the follow-up.

The goalkeeper was almost left red-faced when a 35-yard rocket from Youssouf slipped through his hands and landed on the roof of the net.

Cameroon multiplied efforts to avoid a scare and take the game to bed. Mahamadou Nagida thought he had restored the two-goal cushion but saw his powerful left-footed strike from Saidou Moubarak’s cross come back off the post.

Second-half substitutes Ryan Fosso and Junior Tchamadeu combined to finally put the result beyond doubt. Midfielder Fosso found Junior Tchamadeu with an incisive pass from the midfield, and the full-back squared for Namaso to curl home and restore the two-goal advantage.

The win means Cameroon takes the lead in group G of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. They are level on three points with Namibia who narrowly edged Congo Republic 1-0 in an early kick-off game in the group.

The Indomitable Lions next face a Congo side led by former head coach Claude Le Roy, who is in his second spell in charge of the Central African nation. The encounter is scheduled for September 29 in Brazzaville. 

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