Qatar 2022: Slimani’s Header Puts Cameroon’s WC Hope In Coma

Cameroon are in danger of missing out on successive world cups after a disadvantaged 1-0 start against the Desert Foxes of Algeria in Douala.

Islam Slimani’s 40th minute header sends Algeria to Blida with a massive chance of making Qatar 2022, while Cameroon stare elimination in the eyes.

Algeria started the game strongly. Onana pulled off a wonderful save one v one against Slimani at the 16th minute.

Seconds after the resulting corner from Andre Onana’s save, there was a counter led by Choupo-Moting, as the Lions attacked four against two.

Choupo-Moting went for Hongla as choice, but Hongla was quickly chased down by a recovery tackle from Hocine.

Castelleto committed a foul on Slimani at the 40th minute, and it was from that run of play that Algeria opened the scores.

Balaili’s cross perfectly fell on the head of Slimani, whose headed beat Onana’s finger tips and the under side of the bar, and went in for 1-0 Algeria.

Leandre Tawamba was in for Aboubakar in a like-for-like switch in the second half, as the skipper was already moving gingerly towards the end of the first half.

Kevin Soni equally came in, to provide more impetus down the right, replacing Martin Hongla for Cameroon.

Upon resumption of the second segment, Jean Onana got a bad injury that meant period of a long stoppage.

Belmadi’s men later opted for a cooling break after some electrical faults at their end of the field.

Going into the hour mark, Cameroon visible had more presence in the Algerian half, with Tawamba posing a threat, with a shot or two on target.

Karl Toko Ekambi was relatively quiet for most parts of the game, but he managed to dribble his way past the Algerian defense before shooting straight at Mbolhi Rais (88).

11 minutes were added on as stoppage, but it all counted for nothing as Cameroon tried in vain to get an illusive header.

Rigobert Song and his boys has one more chance on March 29 to fight for their WC lives.