It was here that Cameroon opened their fifa world cup campaign against Switzerland at the Al Janoub stadium with a lot of optimism among Cameroonian soccer fans believing in the words of their FA president Samuel Etoo that “Cameroon are going to win the world cup”.
It was an uphill task as Cameroon has not beaten a European team at the fifa world cup since 1990 when they defeated Romania 2-1 in Italy. The expectations were very high as fans kept dreaming of a precious victory against the Swiss after seven consecutive defeats in fifa world cup completions and wanted to banish the bitter memories of the past.
Cameroon started the game in a well organized and spirited manner in the first half with two clear chances to open scores but failed to take their chances. They lost concentration in the second half and the Swiss capitalized from a loose ball in the center which led to a cross and Cameroon born Breel Embolo playing for the Swiss scored against the country of his birth and parents to make it 1-0 for Switzerland. The scoreline ended 1-0 after 90 minutes.
what made it so painful to Cameroonians was the fact that it was a Cameroonian born that shattered the hopes and aspirations of Cameroon in their opening game of the world cup in Qatar 2022.
By AKA AYAMBA, special envoy to Qatar
