The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon suffered a one-nil defeat to Senegal in a high-profile international friendly on Monday night in France.
In the aftermath of the defeat, legendary Cameroonian Journalist Simon Lyonga has given a breakdown of the contest that went in favor of the defending champions.
Sweet Points
– Darling Yongwa Zidane was very combative and available. Lots of loose balls at the start but as the game progressed he held Senegal at arm’s length in his area of competence. Free with the ball, lots of pace and played with no complex against a giant like Sadio Mane.
Jean Charles Castelleto at right back could be successful but he needs more games to manage his space better. Needs to multiply more runs upfront and work on his crossing ability. (Fai still highly needed for now)
– Frank Magri is showing some signs of combativity, needs more play time for proper evaluation
– Despite his excesses Andre Onana has a good reading of the game, and his constant shouts put the shaky defense on the alert to avoid a deeper sinking of the boat.
Sour Points
– Central defence is off use. Harold Moukoudi still shaky and turns like a tractor while Oumar Gonzalez is far below level. On a brighter day for Senegal we could easily concede four goals. Lucky enough the cross bar was one of our defenders in the game.
– Frontline line too Aboubacar-dependent. The day he’s outplayed the line is dead. No other talismanic displays. Just one shot on target in 90 mins. Too weak for an afcon bound squad.
– In midfield, Olivier Ntcham once again was below expectations while Ondoua Gael failed to match his game against Russia.
– Generally the team was below average.
Bitter moments
– Communication about the visible problems. Clinton Njie, Nouhou Tolo and Olivier Mbaizo were not in France. Visa problems rumors say. But the team refused to communicate on that.
– That players on trial are still given ten minutes. They need more time. Senegal had the game control but made six subs before Cameroon. The coach could hand the new comers more time even if defeat was the end result.
There is room for better days but more work is needed from administrators, technical bench and most of all players.
The latest defeat is coach Rigobert Song’s seventh in 15 games as coach of the same Cameroon team that lost two games out of 26 under Antonio Conceicao before the arrival of the current staff.
Cameroon will switch its attention to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in November which has reserved appointments with Mauritius at home and Libya away.
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