2023 AFCON Q: Kemen Scores On Debut As Indomitable Lions Escape Shalulile-Led Namibia Scare

Cameroon shared spoils with Namibia (1-1) on match day 2 in group C of the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Peter Shalulile drew first blood at the 26th minute for the Brave Warriors before Indomitable Lions newbie Olivier Kemen equalised at the 72nd minute.

Coach Collins Benjamin started with a defensive 4-4-2 formation as opposed to Rigobert Song’s 4-3-3.

Cameroon missed out on some star names including right back Fai Collins, Choupo-Moting, Toko-Ekambi and Vincent Aboubakar, all clearly visible in the 2022 World Cup finalists’ game plan.

Namibia, seeded 113th in the FIFA classification stunned the Indomitable Lions at a near-full house in the 40,000 Omnisport stadium when Shalulile slotted in at the 26th minute.

The game was billed the Shalulile against Cameroon encounter from a Namibian perspective, and it lived up to the billing, with the 29-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns forward – gifting his side the lead, after Jean Charles Castelletto hesitated to clear the lines.

Namibia contained the 33rd best team in the World up until the 72nd minute when Olivier Kemen scored a leveller.

Second half substitute Kunde Malong delivered a pitch of a cross which was latched on by the Kayserispor midfeilder, who headed past goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua.

The Indomitable Lions pilled pressure with subsequent chances for Ganago but Namibia held on to grab a priceless point. Cameroon maintain top spot in group C with four points. The Indomitable Lions face Namibia in Johannesburg again in four days.