Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions managed to secure a 1 – 1 draw against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya on November 21st 2023, an encounter marking day 2 of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

In a 4-2-3-1 tactical formation with Fabrice Ondoa between the sticks and Clinton Njie starting in the first 11, having Nkoudou and Tchamadeu at the flanks supporting Frank Magri as the main striker Playing in Benghazi, on foreign land in a game that looked tense, both teams showcased quality skills, both defensively and offensively.
Pressing high to find an opener, the keepers of both sides stood their ground at every moment with team Cameroon looking for the loophole to celebrate the much desired opener that would give them the lead.

Playing in Benghazi, on foreign land in a game that looked tense, both teams showcased quality skills, both defensively and offensively. Pressing high to find an opener, the keepers of both sides stood their ground at every moment with team Cameroon looking for the loophole to celebrate the much desired opener that would give them the lead.


Upon pressing high from the beginning, it was only at the 34th minute that Olivier Ntcham came finding the back of the nets from the penalty spot (1 – 0) that the Lions could breathe a sigh of relief, jubilating but remaining on alert that the game was not over yet.
Unfortunately, the Mediterranean Knights of Libya, didn’t fold their arms and vehemently refused to watch the Lions take home a victory over them on their home soil.
Hence, they kept on mounting pressure which finally yielded fruit a few minutes to the end of the first half, when Libya’s Aleiyan got an equalizer with a powerful strike at close range. this, to the greatest joy of the home fans massively present in the stadium. (Cameroon 1 – 1 Libya in the first half.)

Fast forward into the second half, both teams struggled hard to find the leading goal in vain. Coach Rigobert Song and his Libyan counterpart, coach Ali El Margini, made some tactical changes aimed at finding the winning goal. These changes proved fruitless as the score remained the same till the final whistle. (Final score, Cameroon 1 – 1 Libya.)
At this point, Cameroon is top of the group with 4 points, level with Cape Verde and Libya but with a slight goal difference.
An appointment has been made for June 2024 for the continuation of the qualifying campaign for the USA, Mexico, Canada 2026 world cup fiesta.

In the meantime, Cameroon has the Côté d’Ivoire 2023 Africa Cup of Nations to deal with and it is expected they will play friendly encounters, as part of preparations in prelude to the continental football jamboree.
FRU William