A well-executed affair. Without shining and leaving control of the game to South Africa, with only 33% of ball possession, Cameroon qualified this Sunday evening for the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations (1-2). The Indomitable Lions will face the Moroccan host country, who beat Tanzania (1-0) earlier today without showing a much more convincing face.
Shy from the first seconds, the Cameroonians left the first opportunities to Bafana Bafana. But neither Lyle Foster, initially imprecise then trapped by an offside, nor Relebohile Mofokeng managed to score. It was ultimately Junior Tchamadeu who opened the scoring, against the run of play, taking advantage of a strike from former Lille player Carlos Baleba blocked and returned to his feet (34th).
Visibly satisfied with his tactics, with a low block and a few timid counter-attacks, coach David Pagou, who arrived just before the start of the tournament to replace Marc Brys, did not change his style in the second half. Christian Kofane proved him right by victoriously taking back a cross from Rennais Mahamadou Nagida (47th). The Indomitable Lions were already safe and could calmly manage their advantage.
They were almost unmolested, despite attempts by Samukelo Kabini and Teboho Mokoena. The South Africans only finally found the opening in the 88th minute, with a recovery from Evidence Makgopa. However, it was too late, despite heavy pressure. Cameroon is in the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations and is now awaiting its big meeting against Morocco, this Friday January 9.
