By Angu Lesley
Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon
Cameroon picked up a statement victory on Ivorian soil on Saturday night, beating Côte d’Ivoire 1-0 in Abidjan in an international friendly.
Bil Nsongo scored the only goal of the game shortly after the restart as the Indomitable Lions produced a disciplined performance to silence the home crowd at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara.
The first half was a tight affair, with neither side able to find the breakthrough. Cameroon looked dangerous when they moved forward, while Côte d’Ivoire tried to impose themselves through their midfield.
After a goalless opening 45 minutes, Cameroon needed just one minute of the second half to change the game.
Nsongo put the Lions ahead in the 46th minute, finishing off a move that saw Ange Ebong provide the assist. The goal immediately lifted the visitors and put Côte d’Ivoire under pressure.
The Ivorians responded by pushing forward in search of an equaliser, but Cameroon defended their advantage with determination. The Lions remained compact and worked hard to limit the hosts’ opportunities in the final third.
David Pagou’s men also threatened to double their advantage, with Bryan Mbeumo and Mohamadou Nagida among those looking to exploit spaces left by the Ivorian defence.
Despite Côte d’Ivoire’s attempts to get back into the game, Cameroon held on until the final whistle to complete an important away victory.
The result will provide another boost to Pagou’s side following their recent AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign, particularly with the Lions continuing to integrate younger players into the senior squad.
For Côte d’Ivoire, the defeat comes as a disappointing result in front of their home supporters, but the friendly provided Hervé Renard with another opportunity to assess his squad ahead of their upcoming competitive fixtures.
For Cameroon, however, the headline is simple: a 1-0 victory in Abidjan, a clean sheet and another confidence-building performance on the road.
English 
French