A late goal from Ambroise Oyongo at the 84th minute saw the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and The Eagles of Mali share spoils in their first Group D game at the ongoing 2015 AFCON in Equatorial Guinea.
The draw was the fifth draw for the Lions in their last five games. The last time the Lions won a game was in November 15, 2014.
Although the draw has taken the Lions’ unbeaten record to nine games, the recent last five consecutive draws have sent supporters wondering about the team’s AFCON redemption quest.
In these last five games against Ivory Coast (0-0), DR Congo (1-1), South Africa (1-1), FC Mounana of Gabon (0-0) and Mali (1-1), the Lions have managed just three goals in five games.
Before November 15, 2014, the Lions had a deadly striking force that was among the best during the qualifiers. This attacking machinery scored a total of nine goals in four games: DR Congo (1-0), Sierra Leone (2-0), Ivory Coast (4-1), DR Congo (2-0).
A number of reasons are responsible for the Lions’ recent goal drought.
Firstly, the Lions have gone back to the West African slow methodical system.
During the qualification, the lions always hassled and harried in a way that has rarely been seen in African football. This system helped them to surprise their opponents by using pace to overcome them thereby creating chances and scoring goals.
Also, the absence of the Njie and Aboubakar partnership is another reason.
This prosperous partnership has yielded seven of Cameroon's nine qualification goals. Since these last five games, the partnership has not been put into use by Lions' German tactician Volker Finke. The pair alongside the support of Eric Choupo Moting are yet to feature in a game together since November 15, 2014.
The lack of creativity from two defensive midfielders be it Enoh and Georges Mandjeck, Loe and Enoh, Loe and Kom, has hindered the supply of balls to the front line.
A team going in with two defensive midfielders who are not very technical will always have problems scoring goals or creating chances since they won’t have the ability to carry the ball forward.
Finke will have to revisit his notebook and revise his strategy just like he did when the Lions faced the same problem in his first 4 matches before the lions humiliated Tunisia in Yaoundé scoring four goals.
He will have to return to the Njie-Aboubakar partnership and utilize it in order to break the spell of draws.
The second round of games in Group D will be played in Malabo on Saturday 24th, with the Ivory Coast facing Mali before Cameroon face Guinea.
Player Ratings
-16 Ondoa: The teenage goalkeeper was in good form as he made a couple of smart saves from Sako and Co. He however made some wrong decisions when he came out to stop crosses.
-6 A. Oyongo: Had a difficult time from Sako as he was often dominated by the Malian striker’s pace. His hesitation to use his right leg also saw him making wrong choices. However, he made up for his bad day by scoring the equalizer at the 84th minute.
-21 A. Chedjou: He was constantly troubled by Mustapha Yatabare, he however prevented him from scoring. His lack of timing also led to the Malians’ goal.
-3 N. N'Koulou: The gentlemanly defender made a host of crucial interventions from left to right and also put his experience into good use as he could be seen positioning his full backs.
-12 H. Bedimo: He was able to silenced Sambou Yatabare quite comfortably and also made his presence in the game felt physically. However, he was lost by S. Yatabare during the cross that resulted to the goal.
-4 R. Loé: Spent most of his time disturbing the opponents’ game plan in the middle. He had very little effect on the ball but did provide an assist for Cameroon’s lone goal.
-E. Eyong: Showed a lot of determination towards the early minutes of the game, but however picked up an injury and was replaced by Frank Kom at the 17th minute.
-11 E. Salli: Though a surprising inclusion in the Cameroon midfield, he was involved in most of the action in the game and also used his energy and skills to make some exciting driving runs.
-8 B. Moukandjo: Lacked the pace and effectiveness in his play style that would have helped the Lions dismantle the heavy Malian defense line. He was only involved in the game when Cameroon had the ball.
-10 V. Aboubakar: The former Coton Sport man was well-marked by the Malian defense, however, he had some chances that he could have scored.
-13 E. Choupo-Moting: The Lions captain failed to defend the arm-band as he was completely dormant in the whole game.
Substitutes
-20 F. Kom: After coming on for the injured Enoh, he failed to create an impact in the game as much of the midfield battle was fought by Loe. He was later substituted at the 78th minute by Frank Etoundi.
