Cameroon beat Cote d’Ivoire 1-0 in Saturday’s friendly at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan, to finish their respective international gatherings with victory.
The result marked Cameroon’s 21st meeting with Cote d’Ivoire in the fixture known as the “in-laws’ clash”. The Indomitable Lions controlled the opening stages before Nsongo scored just after half-time to settle a closely contested match.
Cote d’Ivoire manager Herve Renard made 10 changes from the side that beat Somalia 2-0, selecting a 4-2-3-1 formation. Only Emmanuel Agbadou retained his place, while Christ Tape, Kassoum Ouattara and Amadou Kone made their international debuts. Ibrahim Sangare captained the team in the absence of Franck Kessie, who began on the bench.
Cameroon coach David Pagou made six changes to the team that drew 1-1 away to Congo. Harouna Djibirin made his debut in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Cameroon had the better of the early exchanges, with Bryan Mbeumo producing the first effort after Sangare lost possession in the sixth minute. Cote d’Ivoire responded after Jackson Tchatchoua was dispossessed, but Simon Ngapandouetnbu reached the ball before his opponent in the 11th minute.
Samuel Kotto then headed wide from a corner delivered by Mbeumo in the 32nd minute. Cote d’Ivoire grew into the game and created several chances before the interval.
Yann Gboho fired wide in the 35th minute, while Sangare was narrowly beaten to the ball by Ngapandouetnbu after being found in space in the 37th. A team-mate then struck straight at the Cameroon goalkeeper from the penalty spot area, before the visitors cleared another threatening attack for a corner in the 42nd minute.
The sides went into half-time level at 0-0, but Renard made a triple substitution, sending on Ghislain Konan, Christ Inao Oulai and Ange-Yoan Bonny for Tape, A. Kone and Rayan Fofana.
Cameroon took the lead immediately after the restart. Arthur Avom’s cross found Nsongo, who controlled the ball while getting away from Ousmane Diomande before calmly beating Alban Lafont. The goalkeeper had been preferred to Yahia Fofana, and Nsongo’s finish in the 46th minute was his first goal for the Indomitable Lions.
Mahamadou Nagida tested Lafont in the 52nd minute after creating space on the left, forcing the goalkeeper to turn the shot behind. Renard subsequently introduced Elye Wahi and Luc Zogbe in the 60th minute, followed by Yan Diomande a minute later.
Pagou responded by replacing Djibirin, Nyengue, Jackson Tchatchoua and Danny Namaso with Saidou Moubarak, Ryan Fosso, Junior Tchamadeu and Matah Yondjio.
Cote d’Ivoire became more dangerous, particularly whenever Diomande received possession. He nearly created an equaliser in the 71st minute, bursting down the left before his cut-back was blocked.
Renard later brought on Malick Yalcouye and Evan Ndicka, while Pagou introduced Ivan Cedric and Mael Fernandez Monyebe. Cote d’Ivoire came closest to levelling in the 80th minute when Diomande’s shot, following a one-two with Bonny, was saved by Ngapandouetnbu. Yalcouye lifted the rebound over the bar.
Cameroon held on for victory, strengthening Pagou’s standing with the home supporters, while Renard’s extensive rotation has already attracted criticism.