BY Obakeng Maje

Cameroon secured their first win of the 8-Nation International Tournament with a 2-0 victory over Kenya at the Athlone Stadium on Wednesday (30 May) night.

The match was all about pride, and the avoidance of finishing bottom of Group B, with neither side able to challenge for a place in the semi-finals after both losing their two opening matches.

Cameroon had the first chance of the game when Pierre Balliang fired in a powerful drive from the left hand side of the box, Kenyan keeper Joel Bataro only just able to get enough of a hand to be able to divert the ball away from goal.

In the 18th minute the west Africans were again close to scoring when Bataro rushed off his line to try and intercept a pass, only to find himself caught out of position, resulting in Emanauel Ewangue coming close with a lob from a tight angle.

The Kenyans were however not being outplayed, showing passion and commitment as they searched out their first point of the tournament.

In the 23rd minute Andrew Muranga showed neat skill and a turn of speed to beat Cameroon keeper Kerrido Haschou to the ball, but in trying to set up team-mate Meshak Karani the chance came to nothing.

A few minutes later and Karani was close when his powerful drive on the turn missed by a yard.
As the half progressed the Kenyans grew in confidence and started to spend more and more time in their opponents’ half.

It took Cameroon just three minutes into the second period to find the back of the net, Charles Etoundi scoring with a half volley on the second attempt after Bataro had blocked his first effort.

The west Africans were looking far more of a threat after the restart and their advantage was doubled in the 55th minute when Carlain Mbah scored from the penalty spot.

The spot kick had been awarded after Etoundi had rounded Bataro, inducing the shot-stopper into bringing him down.

Karani always appeared Kenya’s best bet for a goal, but was unable to get on the score-sheet on the hour mark, hitting the side-netting from 14-yards out.

Ten minutes from time a low cross from the right was met by Jean Bassilekin, but he shot straight at the Kenyan keeper.

There was a late chance for Danson Kago for the Kenyans, whose well-struck effort required Haschou needing a second attempt to keep the ball out as he tipped it over – with that ending their chance of taking something from this game, in which they had put in spirited performance.