There was joy and relief on the streets of Douala today after the Indomitable Lions beat Mauritius 2-0 in a must-win World Cup qualifier. The victory keeps Cameroon’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive.
The important match was played in Côte d’Ivoire. After a slow first half, second-half goals from Nominga Malou and Bryan Mbeumo sealed the vital three points for Cameroon.
A Win That Boosts Morale
This win was special for coach Marc Brys. It is the first time he has won two games in a row since he became the coach of the Indomitable Lions. The victory comes at the perfect time, boosting the team’s confidence before their final, decisive match.
Fans Happy with Coach’s Brave Decisions
In Douala, fans were excited and hopeful. One football analyst, Nguetgna Randy Njefi, explained why this win felt different.
“The last game was the first game Coach Marc Brys lost. So he had to come up with something different, and he did,” Randy said. “When we saw the starting players, we saw some big changes.”
Fans noticed and appreciated the new strategy:
- New Defense: Nagida played on the left, and Nouhou Tolo played in the center with Michael Ngadeu.
- Surprise Midfield: Arthur Avom and the returning Carlos Baleba added fresh energy.
- New Attack: The fans were happy to see Karl Etta Eyong playing alongside Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
How the Game Was Won
The first half was goalless, but Cameroon created chances. The breakthrough came in the second half.
“The first goal was brilliant,” Randy said. “After a long cross, the ball fell to Noumi Ngamaleu. He controlled it and scored beautifully, and the crowd went wild!”
Later, the entrance of Bryan Mbeumo made a big impact. “His entrance was appreciated,” Randy shared. “He scored a goal from a great pass by the ever-young Christian Bassogog.”
All Eyes on the Final Showdown
This win is even bigger news because the group leaders, Cape Verde, were held to a 3-3 draw by Libya. This means everything will be decided on the final day.
Cameroon’s next and final match is against Angola on October 13th in Yaoundé.
“The last game against Angola is going to be a decisive one,” said Randy. “The winner will automatically qualify for the World Cup. The Indomitable Lions like to find themselves in this position. Hopefully, we are going to win.”
With key players like Zambo Anguissa and captain Vincent Aboubakar rested for this game, the tea m hopes to be at full strength for the final challenge. For now, the message from thbe fans is clear: “Job well done, Marc Brys.” The dream is still alive.
