Cameroon’s wastefulness in front of goals came back and bit them hard as they lost 1-0 in their opening World Cup Group G match against Switzerland at Al Janoub Stadium.
Breel Embolo punished the nation he was born from, tucking away a chance in the 48th minute after superb delivery by Xherdan Shakiri on the right hand side.
But before that, Cameroon completely dominated the first half with a glut of chances, but in the second half they dropped off and opened gaps for the Swiss to exploit.
But Cameroon had no business to lose. After Bryan Mbeumo broke free and stung Yann Sommer’s hands in the 10th minute, the ball fell kindly to Karl Toko Ekambi. However, the Lyon forward instead of picking up the spot blazed it wide.
They were represented by another chance to open the scoring a few minutes later as Eric Maxim Choupo – Moting timed his run to perfection to face the Swiss goalie, but his shot lacked the purchase with the towering goalkeeper going down well to save it low.
The 2017 AFCON champions saw Ekambi having a sight of goal but the ball was nicked off the boots by Silvan Wildmer.
However, Cameroon, who became the first African nations to reach World Cup quarter finals in 1990 in Italy where they also shocked Argentina, were given a warning when Manuel Akanji rose unmarked in the added time of the first half. The Manchester City defender sadly dragged his header wide.
With Cameroon having missed so many chances in the first half, Switzerland punished them. Shakiri located Embolo and the Monaco striker made sure it counted to net his first goal in the World Cup after the second half had started.
He didn’t celebrate in respect of Cameroon since he was born in the West African country and also where his father lives. It could have been more for Switzerland as Haris Seferovic had a shot blocked in the added time.
The loss means Cameroon have not won a World Cup match since beating Saudi Arabia in the 2002 WC when Samuel Eto’o scored the game’s only goal – the game coach Rigobert Song was also part of.
It is eight games without a win now. They are also the fourth African nation in this World Cup to have not won a match after Senegal, Tunisia and Morocco all failed to win theirs.
