Cameroon completed their international break with a 1-0 friendly victory over Cote d’Ivoire at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan, in the 21st meeting between the two “in-laws”.
Herve Renard made 10 changes to the Cote d’Ivoire side that beat Somalia 2-0, retaining only Emmanuel Agbadou. Christ Tape, Kassoum Ouattara and Amadou Kone made their international debuts, while Ibrahim Sangare captained the team with Franck Kessie among the substitutes. Renard’s side lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Cameroon coach David Pagou made six changes from the team that drew 1-1 away to Congo, giving Harouna Djibirin his first cap in the same formation.
The visitors began on the front foot against a compact Cote d’Ivoire defence, with Bryan Mbeumo producing the first shot after Sangare lost possession in the sixth minute. Cote d’Ivoire threatened after Jackson Tchatchoua was dispossessed, but Simon Ngapandouetnbu reached the ball ahead of his opponent in the 11th minute.
Cameroon defender Samuel Kotto headed wide from a corner delivered by Mbeumo in the 32nd minute, before Cote d’Ivoire began to apply greater pressure. Yann Gboho failed to connect cleanly with a chance in the 35th minute, while Sangare was denied by Ngapandouetnbu two minutes later. Another Cote d’Ivoire player then shot straight at the goalkeeper, and Cameroon conceded a corner in the 42nd minute.
The sides were level at half-time, but Renard made three changes, bringing on Ghislain Konan, Christ Inao Oulai and Ange-Yoan Bonny for Tape, A. Kone and Rayan Fofana.
Cameroon struck almost immediately after the restart. Arthur Avom’s cross found Nsongo, who controlled the ball, evaded Ousmane Diomande and calmly beat Alban Lafont, preferred to Yahia Fofana in goal. The Deportivo La Corogne player’s finish in the 46th minute was his first for the Indomitable Lions.
Mahamadou Nagida soon tested Lafont after beating his marker on the left, forcing the goalkeeper to turn the effort behind in the 52nd minute. Renard then introduced Elye Wahi and Luc Zogbe in the 60th minute, followed by Yan Diomande a minute later.
Pagou responded by sending on Saidou Moubarak, Ryan Fosso, Junior Tchamadeu and Matah Yondjio for Djibirin, Nyengue, Tchatchoua and Danny Namaso.
The changes made Cote d’Ivoire more dangerous, with Diomande receiving a heightened response from the home crowd. His cut-back was blocked in the 71st minute, and he came close to an equaliser nine minutes later after a one-two with Bonny. Ngapandouetnbu saved his shot, while substitute Malick Yalcouye lifted the rebound over the bar.
Renard also used Malick Yalcouye and Evan Ndicka, while Pagou brought on Ivan Cedric and Mael Fernandez Monyebe to strengthen Cameroon’s defence. The visitors held on to finish the break with a win, although Renard’s extensive team changes have already attracted criticism.
