Cameroon began their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 3-1 victory over Comoros, with coach David Pagou acknowledging there is still room for improvement despite his side securing the result they wanted.
Pagou said Cameroon were not at their best but praised the team for being effective when opportunities arose. He also highlighted the contribution of Bryan Mbeumo, who scored during the victory after being asked to take greater responsibility in the attack.
“It was laborious; it was the national team’s first day back at school,” the Cameroon coach admitted at a press conference.
Pagou said the players were still “a little jaded” but were nevertheless able to produce the goals required to get their qualifying campaign off to a winning start.
“The most important thing for us was to score goals. We scored,” he explained.
The coach now faces a quick turnaround, with Cameroon due to play their next match in Congo only four days after the victory over Comoros. Pagou said he intends to continue working with the same approach while preparing his players for the next challenge.
Mbeumo was a particular focus of the coach’s post-match comments. Pagou described the forward as “a top-level player” and “our playmaker” and had called on him to assume greater responsibility during the match.
The request was answered on the pitch as Mbeumo found the net in Cameroon’s three-goal victory. Pagou also praised the forward’s work rate and the role he played in the team’s attacking structure.
Cameroon also benefited from the impact of their substitutes. Nsongo Bil and Tchamadeu were introduced during the game and each supplied an assist, giving Pagou further encouragement about the options available to him as the qualifying campaign continues.
“The substitutes came on and had an impact,” Pagou noted.
However, the victory also exposed an area Cameroon need to address before their next fixture. Comoros scored from a set-piece situation to reduce the deficit, prompting Pagou to stress the need for greater concentration during different phases of play.
“Football is played in phases. And you have to stay alert both with and without the ball,” Pagou stressed.
The Cameroon coach will also monitor the condition of Christian Kofane after the forward was withdrawn at half-time. Kofane experienced discomfort in his thigh, and the coaching staff chose to substitute him rather than risk aggravating the problem.
“He was holding his thigh; he felt a slight twinge, and we didn’t want to take any risks,” Pagou explained.
The quick schedule means Cameroon will have little time to reflect on their opening victory. Their attention will now turn to the trip to Congo, with Pagou preparing his squad for another match just four days later.
Despite identifying areas that need improvement, the coach said the team would maintain its focus and approach the next fixture directly.
“We will travel, we will go to Congo, arrive there, and face things head-on.”
The victory over Comoros gives Cameroon a positive start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, while Pagou will use the limited preparation time available to address defensive concentration, monitor Kofane’s condition and maintain the attacking efficiency that helped his side secure the three points.
