Belgian tactician Marc Brys has marked his debut as head coach of Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions with a resounding 4-1 victory over the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The match, played at the Yaounde Omnisport Stadium, restored the Indomitable Lions’ dwindled prestige and revealed the team’s strategic finesse under their new leader.
Analysts hailed the victory as Cameroon’s most impressive since their 3-0 triumph over Mauritius on November 17, 2023.
The team’s aggressive playstyle and cohesive strategy were evident from the outset.
Returnee Michael Ngadeu opened the scoring at the 13th minute, setting the tone for the match.
Vincent Aboubakar extended the lead 12 minutes later, solidifying Cameroon’s dominance.
Cape Verde responded with a goal from Jamiro Monteiro at the 37th minute, but their hopes were short-lived. Aboubakar restored the two-goal cushion with a penalty before halftime.
The second half saw Nouhou Tolo score his first goal for the Indomitable Lions with a close-range header in the 54th minute, assisted by Ngadeu.
Despite several attempts, Cape Verde was unable to mount a comeback. Their last significant chance came in the 94th minute when Kevin Pina missed a penalty.
Manchester United star goalkeeper Andre Onana was the last-minute hero as he preserved Cameroon’s 4-1 lead, making a crucial save that stopped the penalty from getting in.
Marc Brys’s successful debut comes after a challenging start, stemming from a protracted rift between the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) and the Ministry of Sports (Minsep).
Brys has maintained a neutral stance, emphasizing that his job will be made easier if Fecafoot and Minsep work together.
Looking ahead, Brys faces his second test as Cameroon prepares to take on Angola on Tuesday.
The positive momentum from the victory against Cape Verde will be crucial as the team continues its campaign in the World Cup qualifiers.
