Cameroon started the CAN 2025 qualifiers in the best possible way by winning 1-0 against Namibia this Saturday in a packed Roumdé Adjia stadium in Garoua. This victory, acquired on the first day, allows the Indomitable Lions to take the lead in Group J.
In scorching heat, the Cameroonians struggled to overcome the Brave Warriors, who had beaten them in their last encounter in March 2023.
After a barren first half, the Lions finally found the opening thanks to Vincent Aboubakar in the 65th minute. The Besiktas striker scored the only goal of the match, by taking a shot saved by Bryan Mbeumo.
Before the decisive goal, goalkeeper Andre Onana had made a decisive save, pushing away a powerful shot from Prins Tjiueza from 25 metres, thus preventing Namibia from opening the scoring. Aboubakar could have doubled the lead, but he missed a one-on-one with Namibian goalkeeper Edward Maova.
This small victory comes in a tense context marked by a crisis between the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) and the Ministry of Sports, but it allows the Indomitable Lions to rise to the top of their group, ahead of Zimbabwe and Kenya who drew (0-0).
Coach Marc Brys was satisfied and stressed in a press conference his desire to “play all his matches in Garoua”, a city which seems to bring luck to his team.
Next step for the Lions: a trip to Kampala to face Zimbabwe on September 10, as part of the second day of the qualifiers.
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