AFCON 2026

CAMEROON DEFEATS SOUTH AFRICA 2-1 TO QUALIFY FOR THE QUARTER FINALS

Report by Marinus Fonge Phd Scotland, Great Britain

And then it was the round of 16, meaning the start of the knock-out stages in the ongoing Afcon. A blockbuster encounter between Cameroon and South Africa had already set many tongues wagging across the continent, especially with the subplot that the South Africa coach, Hugo Broos, was the last man to win this competition as coach of Cameroon in 2017. Cameroon appeared in the more recognisable green, red, yellow, and also with a more recognisable team selection after the tinkering with systems and personnel in their previous outing. As expected, then, the back 3 were Tolo, Kotto and Malone. The deep-lying Baleba in midfield was flanked by Avom and Namaso, while Yongwa and Tchamadeu were the wide men on either flank. Mbeumo had licence to roam in the attacking third, while Kofane led the line as the lone ranger up front. South Africa dominated the early possession and at times were very easy on the eye with the patterns they were managing to weave around their opponents. But they were wasteful when the chances started coming. Cameroon, of course, were unfazed and preferred to try and win the decisive battles, grow into the match, and take advantage of key moments. One such moment came shortly after the half-hour mark. An Mbeumo free kick caused commotion in the box, and the loose ball fell kindly for the unmarked Tchamadeu to pick his spot and calmly slot home. One-nil. This was officially his first goal for Cameroon after his deflected strike against the Ivorians went down in the records as an own goal. Into the 2nd half and Cameroon went immediately for the jugular. Hardly two minutes went by before Namaso, a former Under-17 World Cup star with England but deciding that his international future lay with his mother's native Cameroon, threaded the ball down left to Nagida who had replaced the stricken Yongwa midway into the 1st half. His first time cross found Kofane who rose high into the Rabat sky to head home his 2nd goal of the tournament. Epassy was increasingly required as he saved one from close range and later turned Mokoena's goalbound free kick round the post. Cameroon should have extended the lead through the brilliance of Mbeumo on the counter attack. In one classic example of turning defence into offence, he shifted in trademark fashion from the edge of one box at lightning speed right up to the other box. Avom somehow managed to keep up, but his shot was well defended. Again, from just inside South Africa's half, Mbeumo hit a crossfield pass that Kofane could only volley wide. South Africa pulled one back late on through Makgopa's close finish, but Cameroon defended resolutely to take the spoils of victory. 2-1 this one finished.