Cameroon: reconstruction of the Indomitable Lions is already under way

03.10.26 FT Friendly International

Cameroon

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Ivory Coast

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Cameroon beat Ivory Coast 1-0 on Saturday, October 3, in Abidjan, with a largely revamped team. More than the result, David Pagou's choices above all show that several young players are beginning to establish themselves with the Indomitable Lions.

The starting XI against the Elephants already says a great deal about the shape of this team in development. Simon Ngapandouetnbu was in goal, behind a defence made up of Kevin Keben, Samuel Kotto, Jackson Tchatchoua and Mahamadou Nagida. In midfield, David Roy Nyengue and Arthur Avom also started. In attack, Bil Nsongo led the line, with Bryan Mbeumo as captain.

The renewal was not decided in this one match alone. Since the start of this international window, David Pagou has given playing time to several players expected to take on greater responsibility with the national team. Bil Nsongo had made his debut for the Lions against Comoros, before coming on at half-time against Congo. In Abidjan, he started the match this time and scored the only goal just after the interval.

Young players gaining ground

Bil Nsongo's progress neatly sums up this development. Called up for the first time in September, the forward gradually earned more playing time before making the difference against Ivory Coast. Within a few matches, he went from being a newcomer to a starter capable of making an impact.

David Roy Nyengue had also scored in the victory over Comoros. Mahamadou Nagida, Arthur Avom, Kevin Keben, Samuel Kotto and Jackson Tchatchoua were also used during this international period. Their regular presence reflects a desire to give this generation more space.

At the same time, Cameroon retains several senior players around whom this transition can be built. Bryan Mbeumo wore the armband against Ivory Coast, while other experienced players remain part of the squad. The evolution is therefore taking place without a sudden rupture: the newcomers are gradually taking their place alongside players who are already established.

Victory over Ivory Coast lends credibility to this momentum

The context of the match also adds weight to Pagou's choices. With several young players in the starting lineup, Cameroon held out against the Ivorians after Nsongo opened the scoring and maintained its advantage until the final whistle.

This victory adds to an already positive start to the international period, following the win over Comoros (3-1) and the draw against Congo (1-1). Above all, it gives several players the opportunity to confirm, in an international setting, the first impressions they made in previous matches.

It is obviously still too early to consider this team definitively settled. Nevertheless, the choices made since the start of the international window show that several young players have moved up the pecking order.

In Abidjan, some players reached a new level. Bil Nsongo's goal, the starts handed to Nyengue and Avom, and the presence of several young players in defence all provide concrete evidence of this evolution. The reconstruction of the Indomitable Lions may not yet be complete, but it is already beginning to show in the lineups and in the distribution of playing time.

Nouya M'toama

Editorfr, en

Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.

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