A ten-man Comoros suffered a heart break at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations following a 2-1 loss to Cameroon at the Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé on Monday night.
The Indian Ocean islanders started the game with left-sided outfield player Chaker Alhadhur in goal due to injuries and Covid.
Comoros went one man down on the seventh minute when experienced defender Jimmy Abdou was sent to an early shower after a bad tackle on a Cameroonian attacker.
Cameroon got their opening goal on the 29th minute courtesy of Karl Toko Ekambi with Vincent Aboubakar netting the second on the 70th minute, which becomes the striker’s sixth goal in the tournament.
Youssouf M’Changama scored a brilliant strike for Comoros in the 81st minute when he thumped the ball into the top corner with one of the best free kicks you will see this season.
Cameroon dominated the match from the start with Moumi Ngamaleu and Zambo Anguissa pulling the strings in midfield for the Indomitable Lions.
Ngamaleu, who is a long-range specialist, tried to beat Alhadhur from distance, but the makeshift goalkeeper made a decent save ten minutes into the encounter.
The Indomitable continued to launch attacks and Karl Toko-Ekambi’s shot was cleared by Comoros defence led by MohamedYoussouf in the 26th with Alhadhur rooted to the ground.
However, Cameroon was able to penetrate Comoros defence with a ball that slipped to Aboubakar before the striker squared to Ekambi who swept it out of Alhadhur’s reach.
Comoros nearly responded on the 33rd minute as Ahmed Mgoni and Mohamed Youssouf forced Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana into two quick saves.
Moumi Ngamaleu came close to finding the second for the Indomitable Lions when he met a right-wing cross with a ferocious 16-yard volley, but his effort sent back to play by Alhadhur.
Cameron controlled the rest of the half, but were unable to add to their tally as they took a one-goal lead into the break.
The Indomitable Lions then put their foot off the pedal and they allowed the Caolecanthes to press them and they nearly managed to restore parity just after the half-hour mark.
Benjaloud Youssouf was denied by Andre Onana, who closed down the gap quickly, before Youssouf sweept a shot wide after a decent break.
Cameroon applied some pressure on Comoros defence and they were rewarded on the 69th minute when a brilliant ball from the midfield was met by Aboubakar who shrugged off his marker before beating Alhadhur at his near post.
Comoros began to fight back again with 10 minutes remaining and their goal spectacular fashion when M’Changama sent his free kick past Onana.
Amir Abdou’s men pushed on for the equaliser, but the Indomitable Lionsdefence stood firm, and managed to hold on for the win.
How they lined-up:
Cameroon: Andre Onana – Collins Fai, Michael Ngadeu, Jean Castelletto, Tolo Noujou – Martin Hongla, Zambo Anguissa (Jean Onana 84), Moumi Ngamaleu (Christian Bassogog 64), Eric Choupo-Moting (Clinton N’Jie 63), Karl Toko-Ekambi (James Lea Siliki 76), Vincent Aboubakar (Stephane Bahoken 76).
Comoros: Chaker Alhadhur – MohamedYoussouf (Ibroihim Youssouf 89), Nadjim Abdou, Younn Zahary, Said Bakari (Ali M’Madi 89) – Rafidine Abdullah, Fouad Bachiru (Moussa Djoumoi 89), Benjaloud Youssouf (Faiz Mattoir 75), Ahmed Mogni (Abdallah Ali Mohamed 52) – Youssouf M’Changama, El Fardou Ben Nabouhane.
