Algeria surprise Cameroon with a 1-0 World Cup Playoff victory in Douala after Islam Slimani lone strike in first half
Islam Slimani first half strike ensures Algeria hold firm advantage from first leg in 2022 FIFA World Cup Playoff in Douala.
Cameroon welcomed Algeria to the Japoma Stadium for first leg of the African World Cup playoff, and has been leapfrogged in first leg after 1-0 loss to the former Afcon champions.
Since 2021 Afcon third place finish over Burkina Faso, Cameroon’s World Cup playoff first leg clash with the Greens is the country’s first game in about a month.
About 8 Afcon stars started for Cameroon as Choupo-Moting and Afcon goal-king Vincent Aboubakar led the lines. Second top scorer Toko Ekambi also got starting position from left wing.
For Algeria, Mohamed Youcef Belaïli and Manchester City forward Riyad Mahrez played behind Islam Slimani up front.
The best chance fell to Algeria who should have gone ahead inside early minutes after Slimani capitalized on Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui slippery but the Algerian attacker’s shot from inside the box was saved by Andre Onana.
Algeria looked determined in both attack and defense than the hosts. And they took the lead 5′ minutes from end of first half through Slimani.
The Sporting CP was lively and proved a challenge for the Cameroonian defense. After the goal they sat deep to maintain their lead in the first 45′ minutes.
Both sides failed to change the score line as Algeria return home with that advantageous lead and will host Cameroon on Tuesday evening. The best permutation will see them through to Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.
