Cameroon’s Intermediate lions beat the red devils of Congo 1-0 in their group E opener of the ongoing 2022 African Nations Championship in Algeria.
Jerome Ngom Mbekeli’s second-half header was the difference of the game after 90 minutes as the 2020 semifinalists top group E.
The intermediate lions were going into the game with the 2018 memories still fresh as they suffered defeat to Congo in Morocco which prevented them from progressing to the knockout stage that year.
Coach Alioum Seidou’s charges started timidly in the first few minutes of the game – with the Congolese making some good moves to punish the Cameroon team.
Captain Yves Moukoko and Co later took charge of the game with Djawal Kaiba and Jerom Ngom giving the opponent hard times.
Cameroon got the first real chance of the game from Coton Sport’s Djawa Kaiba who’s 20 yards strike forced a save from the Congo goalkeeper Paveld Ndzila.
The Congolese had some good times – mounting pressure on Yves Moukoko and Co but their efforts didn’t yield fruits.
In the second half, Ngom Mbekeli was at the centre of Cameroon’s attack as he dribbled his way into the Congolese territory to create a good chance for Ramses Donfack but his shot couldn’t hit the target.
The Colombe of Dja and Lobo playmaker then benefited from a Ramses Donfack cross to head in the first goal of the game to put Cameroon in front.
Cameroon continue a search for a second goal as Fauvre Azur Midfielder Arthur Avom made brilliant passes to find Donfack and Kemajou but their finishing wasn’t good enough to give Cameroon a second goal.
The Congolese made efforts to cancel the deficit but were not accurate as Cameroon backed all three points.
Cameroon play their last game Game against Niger on January 24th.
