Defender Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui scored the winner in the second half as Cameroon moved top of Group D in the qualifiers for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup with a slim 1-0 victory away to Mozambique.
The victory, a second consecutive win over the Mozambicans takes the Indomitable Lions to nine points, two ahead of Côte d’Ivoire who play Malawi later Monday.
Mozambique meanwhile have seen their World Cup hopes ended having only picked one point after four matches.
The Mambas knew only victory would keep their hopes afloat and started the match well, pressing Cameroon and creating chances. However, their poor decision making in the final third was always wanting.
In the 13th minute, Martinho Alberto Thauzene made a good run on the wing to break into the box, but her decision to cut back the ball instead of going for goal proved wrong as the ball was cleared away.
Cameroon’s best chance of the half fell on Vincent Abubakar who broke into the box from the left but his shot was well saved by the keeper.
Mozambique kept the hunt in the second half and they were denied by a good save from the keeper in the 57th minute when Luis Muquissone’s freekick was deflected to Nelson Simbine’s path, the defender taking a strong volley on goal that was punched away.
Their chase for a goal was punctured in the 68th minute when Cameroon broke the deadlock, Ngadeu-Ngadjui heading home after the keeper punched a corner to his path.
Mozambique tried all they could to get their act into the game and salvage nothing, but they couldn’t crack a resolute Cameroonian side.
Gabon 2-0 Angola
In Franceville, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang starred for the Gabonese, scoring a goal and assisting the second as The Panthers won 2-0 against Angola to earn their first qualification victory and revive faint hopes of battling for a place to Qatar 2022.
The home side had two good chances in the opening half, first Axel Meye swinging a volley from the edge of the box that went wide before captain Aubameyang saw his header under pressure from his marker go just wide.
The hosts had to wait till the second half to get the much needed goal and it came in the 77th minute when Aubameyang smashed the ball home from the left after Levy Madinda’s attempted shot rolled into his path,
The Arsenal captain was at hand to provide the second goal minutes later when he made a good run on the left before cutting back a cross which Angolan defender To Carneiro turned into his own net.
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