Two second-half goals from Jean Makoun saw Cameroon to a comfortable 4-1 win over Tunisia to book their place in the FIFA World Cup finals for an African record seventh time on Sunday.
In the Yaounde sunshine, Cameroon wasted no time in taking the advantage after last month’s goalless first leg in Rades, Tunisia.
There were just three minutes on the clock when Pierre Webo pounced on a defensive mix-up by Tunisia, firing across goal, the ball bouncing in off the post.
Photo: AFP
However, it took a majestic goal on the half-hour mark by Benjamin Moukandjo to give the Indomitable Lions breathing space as Tunisia paid the price for sitting back and letting the home side carry the game to them.
Moukandjo, brought in to add width and pace on the left, produced just that, collecting the ball and with a burst of speed gliding past three defenders and firing an unstoppable shot past Moez Ben Charifa from the edge of the penalty area.
His over-exuberant celebrations, which saw him rip off his shirt and race in to the crowd, brought him a booking.
Photo: AFP
“We are very happy,” Cameroon midfielder Stephane Mbia said. “We have had some difficult years, but this is the result of having a strong group.”
There seemed no way back for Tunisia and they did nothing in the first half to test Charles Itandje in the Cameroon goal, whose heroics in Rades set them up for the second leg.
The visitors’ only significant foray forward saw Wissem Ben Yahia swing in a free-kick from the right side, only for the unmarked Syam Ben Youssef at the back post to head over with the goal at his mercy.
Tunsia’s Dutch coach Ruud Krol, who was drafted in at the last minute to fire up the team for the return leg, appeared to have pulled off a masterstroke by throwing on striker Ahmed Akaichi as a halftime substitute for Amine Chermiti.
Just four minutes into the half, Akaichi produced a perfect finish, chasing a long through-ball and powering a first-time volley beyond the reach of Itandje from the edge of the penalty area.
However, Makoun restored the Lions’ two-goal advantage, rising above the defense to head home Benoit Assou-Ekotto’s corner in the 65th minute and wrapped it up four minutes from time when he slotted home the rebound after substitute Eric Choupo Moting’s shot hit the post.
“It was a deserved victory,” Cameroon defender Danny Nounkeu said. “We were focused on the goal ever since we started training. To play in a World Cup is important for every player. The Tunisian team were good, but there was only ever one winner.”
Cameroon are the third African team to qualify for Brazil after Nigeria and Ivory Coast sealed their spots on Saturday.
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