Cameroon clinched the final place in the African World Cup playoffs after beating Ivory Coast 1-0 in a Group D match played at Stade de Japoma on Tuesday night.
Karl Toko Ekambi scored the all-important goal on the 21st minute leaving Ivory Coast heartbroken after they missed several scoring chances.
Vincent Aboubakar had the first effort of the game after five minutes, the Indomitable Lions attacker unleashed a shot from distance which went wide of the left-hand post.
Just a minute later and Collins Fai nearly opened the scoring for the hosts but the striker fired his effort inches wide of Gbohouo’s post.
Ivory Coast were restricted to long range efforts in the opening exchanges, with Serge Aurier also deciding to have shot at goal but the Elephants defender fired his effort well wide of the target.
Cameroon got the opener five minutes later when Karl Toko Ekambi smashed the ball into the roof of the net after being played through by Martin Hongla.
Three minutes later and Andre Onana was called into action to deny Sebastian Haller an equalizer from distance.
Jerome Onguene almost doubled the Indomitable Lions lead in the 42nd minute but the striker’s free kick crashed onto the woodwork.
The second half started off slowly, with neither side managing to create any clear cut openings.
Ivory Coast came close around the hour mark when a corner kick of their own found Maxwell Cornet’s head, but the attempt at goal went off target.
Chances were few and far between in the latter stages of the game as Cameroon seemed content to defend their fragile lead while Ivory Coast struggled to penetrate the defences.
In the last moments of the tie Ivory Coast won a corner kick and their goalkeeper Ghobouo came forward to join, but they all failed to claim a draw at the death.
Cameroon join Tunisia and other eight countries including Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Mali, Morocco and Senegal in the playoffs.
The 10 teams will be drawn into five two-legged ties with the aggregate winners representing Africa at the World Cup finals in Qatar.
