CAMEROON- ABAUKAR’S HEADER EARNS AFRICA FIRST WIN OVER BRAZIL IN WORLD CUP

Cameroon’s Vincent Abubakar produced a late winner against five time world champions Brazil despite the African country not advancing to the next round of the tournament in Qatar.

The Indomitable Lions went into the game knowing they had to beat the South American to keep alive hopes of qualifying for the knockouts stage. Switzerland and Serbia were other teams in Group G that had a battle to settle with the possibility of knowing who joins Brazil, with the Selecao already qualified after earning six points in two matches.

Before the start of the match, Brazil’s coach made nine changes to his starting lineup with Neymar down due to injury but despite that the team had a galaxy of stars with majority top players in Europe. With the likes of Ederson, Fabinho and Gabriel Martinelli the Lusail Iconic Stadium had a large number of spectator’s presence to experience the best of football artistry from South America and Africa.

The proceeding saw the Brazilian side dominating play with good quality of play which Cameroon goalkeeper Davis Epassy made several well saved efforts to prevent Arsenal’s Martinelli from scoring. It didn’t take long before Cameroon closed up the loopholes and increasingly matched the Brazilians in near-percentage of possession. Vincent Abubakar constantly created convertible chances but desperate defending from Brazil prevented him from scoring in the first half.

On return to the second half Rigobert Song’s side realising the urgency needed in the second stanza upped their game, making offensive incursion to the box of their opponent. But Brazil goalkeeper Ederson was beautiful to watch making good saves from the Indomitable Lions attackers.

Prior to the second half efforts in close range opportunities of scoring, Eder Militao, Bremer and Bruno Guimaraes saw their near excellent efforts blocked by desperate Cameroon defending. The Africans were not scared by the galaxy of stars from Brazil as Bryan Mbeumo’s header was clawed away by Ederson at the first half injury- time.

Brazil with 21 shots for goals, it could not break the gallant Indomitable Lions. In the closing minutes of the second half Cameroon was stronger, offensively brilliant and their cohesion energetic. That effort paid off thanks to their captain Abubakar nodding in a late winner which brought the stadium alive with raucous celebrations, obviously the Indomitable Lions roared to a record first African country to beat Brazil at the World Cup. Abubakar was sent off for removing his shirt during the celebration for second yellow card. His goal was classic!

With the result Cameroon was unable to make up enough in Group G to advance to the knockout round, while regardless of the result coach tite’s side qualify to the next round and are joined by Switzerland after their win against Serbia that ended the group at the bottom.

Meanwhile, Brazil will face South Korea for a place in the quarter- finals on Monday, while Switzerland will clash with captain Christiano Ronaldo’s side Portugal on Tuesday.