Cameroon beat Tunisia 1-0

One of Nigeria’s major opponents on the road to the 2018 World Cup, Cameroon began their reign as African champions with a 1-0 friendly victory over Tunisia in Monastir Friday. A Vincent Aboubakar goal separated both teams.

The Turkey-based striker beat Aymen Mathlouthi in goal for the North Africans after 14 minutes. Aboubakar would get several other chances, including a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but failed to convert.

Tunisians Taha Yassine Khenissi and Syam Ben Youssef were foiled by the woodwork during the first half. In February Aboubakar came off the bench to snatch a late winner against Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations final in Gabon.

He was one of two changes for the Tunisia match from the team that started the final, replacing Robert Ndip Tambe in the lone-striker role.

Midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa was the other newcomer, winning his first cap in place of Sebastien Siani.

Anguissa was among eight players who withdrew from the preliminary Cup of Nations squad, preferring to concentrate on his club career with Marseille.

Belgian coach Hugo Broos kept a promise not to hold grudges against the “rebels” by including Anguissa and Schalke striker Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting for two friendlies.

Cameroon play Guinea near Brussels next Tuesday ahead of Cup of Nations and World Cup fixtures from June which will see them playing Nigeria in August. Nigeria will play Burkina Faso in London on Monday as one of the friendlies as part of the build up