2022 WCQ: Cameroon beat Côte d’Ivoire to secure play-offs qualification

Cameroon pipped Ivory Coast to qualify for the play-off round for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup after they picked victory in their final group match on Tuesday.

The Indomitable Lions edged out Côte d’Ivoire by a solitary goal in Yaounde to finish top of Group D.

Pressure was on the host side as they came into the final match day trailing the Ivorians in the group and needed to win at all costs to ensure they earned a place in the play-off.

They started strongly pinning Côte d’Ivoire in their own half and pushed on by the home crowd. They eventually got the opener in the 21st minute when Karl Toko Ekambi smashed the ball into the roof of the net after being played through by Martin Hongla.

It was the exact start that Cameroon had yearned for and now turned the pressure tide on the visitors.

They almost drew level in the 31st minute but keeper Andre Onana made a brilliant save, showing superb reflex to turn behind Franck Kessie’s volley from close range off a Max Cornet cross.

In the second half, Côte d’Ivoire piled the pressure and they came closest in the 70th minute when Sebastian Haller saw his header off a cross from the right clip the crossbar.

Substitutes Nicolas Pepe and Aboubacar Sangare also came close, Pepe’s low shot after cutting in from the right being deflected away while Sangare’s low shot went inches wide with Onana well beaten.

Despite the increased pressure, Cameroon held on to their nerves to see off the victory and secure the ticket.

-CAF