Gabon 2017: Cameroon qualifies through a Salli strike ⁰

Cameroon qualified for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations finals with a 1-0 win away to Mauritania in Group M. A goal from winger Edgar Salli after 31 minutes was enough to send the Indomitable Lions through to Gabon.

Mauritania were put under further pressure in the second half after defender Moustapha Diaw was sent off. Earlier on Friday, a win for Tunisia meant that Group A of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers will be settled with the final ties in September. Tunisia who were 3-nil winners in Djibouti, took the lead after 15 minutes when France-born Naim Sliti scored for the Carthage Eagles after being set-up by Wahbi Khazri.

23-year-old Sliti has been linked with a move away from French second division side Red Star ahead of next season. Both sides then hit the woodwork before Sliti turned provider on the stroke of half-time as he passed to Hamdi Harbaoui to score Tunisia’s second.

Esperance striker Taha Yassine Khenissi replaced Harbaoui shortly after the break and then scored Tunisia’s third on the hour mark. The other game on Friday pits Libya against Morocco, who have already qualified for Gabon.

BBC

3, June 2016

Algeria secures place in Gabon 2017 ⁰

Africa’s top-ranked nation Algeria clinched their place at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations finals on Thursday with a 2-0 win in Seychelles. Yassine Benzia and El Arabi Soudani scored in each half to ensure Algeria will win Group J. The group winners and the best two runners-up will qualify for the finals.

The loss for Seychelles means they are unable to win the group and only have a very slim chance of winning a best second-placed spot. The other match in the group sees Lesotho host Ethiopia on Sunday.

Lille’s Benzia scored his first goal for Algeria since swapping national allegiances from France earlier this year. He scored five minutes before half-time as the Seychelles defence failed to deal with a cross and the ball fell at his feet with his back to the goal before swivelling to score. Soudani doubled the score on hour mark when as he got on the end of a free-kick from Ryad Boudebouz.

BBC

3, June 2016

International Friendlies: France 3, Cameroon 2 ⁰

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon have suffered a three goals to two defeat inflicted on them by the French National team. This was during an international friendly match at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes in France in the build to Cameroon’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on June 3rd, against Mauritania.
The international friendly was also to prepare the French National team ahead of the 2016 UEFA European Championship starting June 10th. The 3 – 2 victory by France over Cameroon has given, manager Didier Deschamps’ side, hosts of the tournament, automatic qualification for UEFA 2016. Sports analysts, say France had a unique preparations for Euro 2016 compared to the other 23 nations participating in the competition. The French side is expected to play one more friendly against Scotland on Saturday, June 4, ahead of the start of Euro 2016.

During the Monday encounter, Blaise Matuidi gave the hosts the lead with a smart goal, but before the French public had time to celebrate, Cameroon’s Vincent Aboubakar equalized barely two minutes later. Olivier Giroud scored another goal for France just before half-time, the Indomitable Lions attempted to level score to no avail.

In the second half, Les Bleus dominated possession but created few chances, and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting surprised the home side with a late equalizer at the 88th minute. Cameroonians had not savoured the score when, Dimitri Payet found the net for a last minute goal; giving France a win over Cameroon. Indomitable Lions goal keeper, Fabrice Ondoua has been highly appreciated for the magnificent and timely saves the spared the Cameroonian national team from conceding several goals.