Cameroon open Africa’s World Cup with loss to Mexico

Mexico got their World Cup campaign off to the perfect start, with Oribe Peralta’s strike proving the difference as they patiently overcame a dogged Cameroon side to move level on points with hosts Brazil atop of Group A.

Giovani dos Santos saw two first half efforts ruled out for offside as Mexico had the better of the chances, but it took Peralta’s 60th minute strike for the North American side to take the lead in a rain-lashed Natal.

The game started in controversial fashion, with former Tottenham forward Dos Santos seeing an 11th minute strike ruled out for offside. Slotting in a Hector Herrera cross from the right, Dos Santos was judged offside, despite replays suggesting that the Villarreal striker was level.

It was to be the first of two Dos Santos strikes incorrectly ruled out, with the linesman disallowing a 29th minute header having wrongly judged a Mexico corner to have been flicked on to Dos Santos by a Mexico player when it had in fact hit the head of Cameroon’s Eric Choupo-Moting.

In between Dos Santos’ strikes, both teams had chances to score, with Samuel Eto’o hitting the post after a strong run from Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Rafael Marquez nodding over a set-piece that was primed for the head of his centre-back partner Hector Moreno.

Mexico had the better of the play against an unambitious Cameroon side and should have taken the lead numerous times before Peralta opened the scoring in the 60th minute. The side’s top scorer in qualifying had already been denied by Cameroon keeper Charles Itandje in a one-on-one situation early on in the second half, but made no mistake on the hour mark when handed the opportunity to sweep home the opener following Itandje’s save from a Dos Santos strike.

Cameroon rarely threatened to find an equaliser – with set-pieces proving their most likely route back into the game – but almost drew level at the death, with Guillermo Ochoa diving to save a Benjamin Moukandjo header.

Mexico face hosts Brazil on Tuesday, while Cameroon take on Croatia a day later.

Expert Edge

I am not sure any African team will survive the group stage. There is absolutely no personal or professional development in the technical and tactical abilities of the players; in order words, they have not improved over the years. Most of the big names are in the squad because there are no better players back home, which is the multiplier effect of lack of development in our football. The African side held on to the ball for too long because of bad positional play by the entire team. There was no player with distinctive ability to take on the Mexican defence from the midfield. I do not think the Cameroonian coach really understands the ability of the individual players to enhance a good cognitive network in the team. The team lacked tactical rhythm, which is unacceptable for a competition of this standard. We need to step up our game and our attitude especially.

Adegoke Adelabu, ex-player