A much-anticipated game that sees the hosts and considerable favourites to win this year’s edition of the African Cup of Nations, Cameroon come up against Comoros in the round of 16 in Yaounde. Cameroon emerged victorious over Burkina Faso and Ethiopia and found the back of the net against Cape Verde in a one-all draw to top Group A with seven points.
Skipper Vincent Aboubakar netted five goals to equal a tournament scoring record for the Indomitable Lions.
On the other hand, Comoros handed a huge blow to the black stars’ chances of qualification after an intense 3-2 win which saw Ghanaian Captain Andre Ayew sent off in the first half.
After losing their first two group games to Morocco and Gabon, Comoros’ victory over the black stars saw them progress into the knock out stages as one of the best third-placed teams.
WHEN & WHERE?
Date: 24th January 2022.
Time: 7:00 PM GMT.
Venue: Olembw Stadium.
TEAM NEWS
Cameroon have no major injuries and suspensions moving into this fixture and will look to take full advantage on the pitch with the unfortunate COVID 19 positive cases in the Comoros camp. Africa Cup of Nations giant-killers Comoros face a goalkeeping crisis before the biggest game in the country’s history on Monday.
The tournament debutants face hosts and five-time champions Cameroon in Yaounde on Monday, Unfortunately, 12 positive Covid cases including coach have struck the team. Seven players have been affected, including the two remaining fit keepers in the squad, Moyadh Ousseini and Ali Ahamada, with first-choice Salim Ben Boina out through injury. The absence of coach Abdou will be a huge blow to the side after his impressive work on this team since taking charge in 2014 and overhauled the squad. A major key to their successes.
Comoros will hope the injury of Ben Boina will not be considered extreme, considering the fact that the number one goalkeeper had to leave the field after a red-card challenge by Ghana captain Andre Ayew in Tuesday’s Group C tie.
PRE-MATCH ANALYSIS
After completing a 2-1 comeback over Burkina Faso on the opening day, Cameroon went on to beat Ethiopia 4-1 in their next game. The Indomitable Lions ended their last game in a 1-1 draw against Cape Verde in their final group stage clash. With the nation’s support right behind their backs, hosts (Cameroon) look like a very tough side to beat and one of the favourites to win this competition but have many aspects of their game to improve if their hopes to cling onto the title is to be fulfilled.
Skipper Vincent Aboubakar has been absolutely vital to their current position and qualification into the knockout stages. Top scorer of the tournament on five goals and a forward who clearly understands what positioning and movement around the oppositions’ box, Aboubakar seems to be soaring and will look to find the back of the net against Comoros on Monday night. Napoli midfielder Frank Zambo Anguissa has also put in an incredible performance in terms of energy and control of the game in midfield for the hosts. On loan from Fulham, Anguissa looks to stamp his place on this tournament and an impressive performance looks likely when Cameroon takes on Comoros on Monday.
In defence, Michael Ngadeu Ngadui of Genk has found control over the back with Andre Onana in goal. Despite their efforts, the indomitable lions have conceded in every game they’ve played in the competition and this is a major concern for Antonio Concecào. On the left side of defence and attack for the indomitable lions, Nouhou Tolo has been absolutely impressed with his performance in the group stages after he replaced Abroise Oyongo in the team. Driving with enormous pace down the left flank, his overlapping runs and defensive positioning will be key against Comoros on Monday night.
Facing Comoros seems like the favourable route to the last eight in the competition. Lyon’s Karl Toko Ekambi has also been impressive while Bayern’s Choupo Moting struggles to make his mark on the tournament. With Toko Ekambi, Choupo Moting, and Aboubakar in attack, it will be almost impossible for Comoros to not get behind on Monday night. Comoros have qualified for the knockout stages of the AFCON in their very first appearance in the tournament. They now look to pull more surprises in this tournament and the key to that mission will be upsetting the hosts Despite losing their first two games and failing to score in both encounters, a 3-2 win over Ghana was enough to secure a last 16 slot as one of the best third-placed sides in the group stage.
Comoros are one of the surprise sides to the last 16 of the competition. They have already made a mark in this tournament by knocking four-time winners in the black stars out of the competition. Unfortunately, it is very unlikely that they will beat Cameroon considering their number of players out. Without finding the back of the net in any of their opening two games, Comoros scored thrice against the black stars of Ghana which saw them book a place into the next round of the competition.
A major turning point that facilitated their victory was the first-half red card to Ghanaian skipper Andre Ayew which saw them hit on the break as often as possible and eventually find the needed three points with a man as an advantage. Though this tournament has taught us to expect the unexpected it is obvious that Comoros will not get past the Indomitable lions and will crush out of the competition in the round of 16.
Pierre Kunde alongside Andre Zambo Anguissa and Vincent Aboubakar are ones to keep a close eye on in this highly anticipated fixture.
PREDICTED LINEUPS
Cameroon Predicted XI (4-3-3): Andre Onana; Collins Fai, Jerome Onguene, Michael Ngadeu, Nouhou Tolo; Samuel Oum Gouet; Nicolas Moumie Ngamaleu, Pierre Kunde, Andre Zambo Anguissa, Karl Toko Ekambi; Vincent Aboubakar.
Comoros Predicted XI (4-4-2): Ali Ahamada; Said Bakari, Younn Zahary, Kassim M’Dahoma, Benjaloud Youssouf; Faiz Selemani, Youssouf M’Changama, Fouad Bachirou, Ahmed Mogni; Mohamed M’Changama, El Fardou Ben.
MATCH PREDICTION
Cameroon 2-1 Comoros
