Cameroon began their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a frustrating result on Wednesday, settling for a goalless draw against Cape Verde in Yaoundé in their opening Group F match. Playing at home and backed by their supporters, the Indomitable Lions were expected to make a strong start but were unable to find a breakthrough against a disciplined and well-organized Cape Verdean side.
Despite creating several promising situations throughout the match, Cameroon struggled with their finishing and lacked precision in the decisive moments. Their attacking moves often broke down in the final third, with the last pass or final touch missing, preventing them from turning possession into clear-cut chances. Cape Verde, for their part, remained compact defensively and focused on frustrating the hosts, successfully limiting spaces and holding firm until the final whistle.
The result means Cameroon dropped two points on home soil, an outcome that could have been disappointing in normal circumstances. However, the draw carries limited consequences for the five-time African champions, who are already assured of a place in the tournament as the host nation of the 2021 AFCON. Even so, the match served as an important test and an opportunity to build momentum ahead of the competition.
After the game, head coach Antonio Conceiçao shared mixed feelings about the performance. While acknowledging the lack of goals, he expressed overall satisfaction with his players’ attitude and commitment on the pitch. According to him, the team showed the right mentality and played with the intention to win, even if the result did not reflect their efforts.
“Overall, I’m satisfied with the match,” he explained. “The team played to win, we were focused, and we approached the game the right way. But we missed the final pass.”
The Portuguese coach highlighted the work still needed to improve cohesion within the squad. Cameroon are currently in a rebuilding phase, with several adjustments being made as the technical staff tries to establish a clear playing identity and integrate new faces into the team. For Conceiçao, patience will be essential as the group continues to develop.
He also pointed to fatigue late in the game and the poor condition of the pitch as additional factors that may have affected his side’s performance. “Towards the end, we felt the players were a bit tired. We’re building a new team with well-defined principles. We need time to work together and get to know each other. The state of the pitch didn’t help us much,” he added.
In the end, while the Lions failed to secure victory, the match offered valuable lessons. Cameroon will now look to sharpen their attacking efficiency and improve their chemistry as they prepare for their next outings, aiming to deliver stronger performances and regain confidence ahead of their home tournament.
