The final round is upon us, and Cameroon are looking as lethal as we expected. The home ground advantage is on full display, and the attacking threat of Vincent Aboubaker and Andre-Frank Anguissa is building up to be a unique force. Cape Verde continue to struggle with a huge portion of players including their head coach missing, but the determination of the island nation is a force to be reckoned with.
Cameroon have already qualified for the knockout rounds, but the Indomitable Lions want to give the fans more to cheer about. However, the motivation of qualification for Cape Verde will have the Blue Sharks in search of victory.
Africa Cup of Nations – Group A
Monday 17 January
Olembe Stadium
18:00
To Win
Cape Verde 46/10
Cape Verde 46/10
Draw 2/1
Cameroon 13/20
Cameroon 13/20
Cape Verde
Cape Verde have had nothing go in their favour. They have had eight plus players out with Covid-19 and injury including their head coach from day dot. The Blue Sharks have played the cards dealt and come out on top in one fixture and fallen just short in their recent 1-0 defeat to Burkina Faso.
The hope is for players to be declared fit to play in the all-important fixture against their toughest opponents of group A. However, they have made it within shooting distance of second place qualification for the next round, but all three points will be what they are in search of.
Cameroon
Cameroon are not the best side in this competition in my opinion, but if the so-called bigger teams maintain par for the course performances, then the host nation will go far. They do not have the superstars that the favourites do, but they’re in the groove and playing on home soil will give them an extra edge. The defence is still proving shaky under pressure and teams with more fire power should be more successful.
However, The Indomitable Lions have the momentum and it’s all about momentum going into the knockout stages.
Like I said, defensively, Cameroon are not where they need to be, but just behind and in front of the backline, defensive midfielder Andre-Frank Anguissa is an absolute player, alongside Ajax’s number one Andre Onana who’s distribution to the attacking players of the highest quality.
Captain Vincent Aboubaker is on the hunt for the golden boot ward already on four goals in two games and winger Karl Toko Ekambi is putting up numbers himself. Cameroon have already qualified but maintaining domination in fixtures to keep the fear factor element evident is bound to see them unrelentingly put it on Cape Verde.
Prediction: Cameroon Win (13/20)
After winning one and losing one three points could be enough to see Cape Verde qualify in the best third place of group A, but a draw or a win will definitely get them through to the next round. Cameroon will not want to give Cape Verde an inch, and the momentum that they have created is sure to get them yet another victory.
Written by Joshua Gaillard