New Indomitable Lions Head Coach Rigobert Song Bahanag would have wished things went differently for his team in his inaugural match as head coach of the selection.
A 0-1 defeat to the Desert Foxes of Algeria at the Japoma Stadium meant Cameroon had lost a game on home soil for the first time in over 3 decades.
The Lions were void of ideas in their defeat to the North African team, and never looked like making a statement after falling behind.
Cameroon however still has a return leg to redeem themselves, but many will not be optimistic about a possible victory over Algeria away after failing to make use of the huge support at the Japoma Stadium.
Coming into the fixture, circumstances around the game were also tied against the Lions. Injury to Zambo Anguissa meant Cameroon lost one it’s best midfielder.
The fatal car accident suffered by André Onana also meant the goalkeeper wasn’t psychologically adept to take part in such a huge fixture with a lot at stake. At half time too, team captain Vincent Aboubakar was hauled off with a suspected injury situation.
Furthermore, rumours of some players sneaking in their girlfriends into their hotel rooms showed a level of unprofessionalism within the camp.
Missing out on qualification for the World Cup will mean that Cameroon will miss consecutive world cups since their last participation in 2014.
All hope is not lost however, as the Lions will need to put in a masterful performance to overturn the tie on the 29th of March in Algeria.
