Cameroonian forward Karl Toko Ekambi has revisited one of the most dramatic moments in African football history—his last-gasp goal in Blida that shattered Algeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
On the night of 29 March 2022, Algeria hosted Cameroon in a World Cup play-off second leg that would etch itself into the memories of fans on both sides of the continent.
With the aggregate score level after extra time, and the home crowd in Blida already sensing a return to the world stage, Ekambi delivered a stunning twist in the 124th minute, sealing Cameroon’s qualification in the most agonising fashion for the Fennecs.
More than three years on, the forward—currently without a club—spoke about that fateful evening in a candid interview with Ange FR. Revisiting the intensity and emotion of that moment, Ekambi shared a striking personal anecdote that captured just how deep the pain ran for Algerian supporters.
“It was unbelievable,” he recalled. “After the match, even my Algerian friends from back home—guys I grew up with in the housing projects—just stopped replying to me. For an entire week! I get it, though. They were furious.”
Ekambi’s decisive goal, scored in the final seconds of the match, has since become a defining moment not just in his career, but in Cameroonian football history. The drama unfolded in front of a stunned crowd in Blida, a stadium where Algeria had not tasted defeat for years.
Having lost 1–0 in the first leg in Douala, Algeria needed only a draw to book their ticket to Qatar. When Ahmed Touba equalised in the 118th minute, it looked like they had done just enough.
But Cameroon, defiant to the last, found another gear. A seemingly routine play turned into heartbreak for Algeria as Toko Ekambi capitalised on a loose ball in the box, slotting it home with a calm finish. Silence fell over the stadium, while the Indomitable Lions erupted in celebration.
“I spoke with Martin Hongla just before,” Ekambi revealed. “He told me, ‘You’re going to score.’ I was drained. But I felt it, deep down—I knew something was going to happen.”
That instinct proved prophetic. His goal made it 2–1 to Cameroon on the night and secured their place in the World Cup on away goals, leaving Algerian players and fans stunned and devastated.
The impact of that goal continues to echo through North African football. For Algeria, the elimination remains a sore subject, a bitter memory that still lingers in the national psyche. For Cameroon, it was a moment of redemption and sheer joy, carved into football folklore.
Despite the emotional toll it took on his friends and the controversy that followed, Toko Ekambi looks back on the occasion with a sense of pride and reflection. “It’s one of those moments you never forget,” he said with a quiet smile. “It wasn’t just a goal—it was history.”
As the dust has settled, the goal remains a defining symbol of triumph and heartbreak—depending on which side of the story one remembers.
Karl Toko-Ekambi revient sur son fameux but à la dernière minute avec le Cameroun face à l’Algérie 🇨🇲🇩🇿
🗣️ « Je savais que j’allais marquer, j’en étais sûr. C’était un truc de fou ! »
Il révèle même que certains potes Algériens ne voulaient plus lui répondre après le match 🤣 pic.twitter.com/y0h6jF0WSi
— Ange GR (@AngeGR_) June 13, 2025
