Jerome Ngom Mbekeli’s second half header was enough as Cameroon secured a 1-0 win over Congo in their opener TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) clash in Oran on Monday.

The 24-year-old, who plays for local side Colombe, rose highest in the 63rd minute to connect Ramses Nguimzeu’s cross from the left to hand the Intermediate Lions the much-needed victory at the Oran Olympic Stadium. With just one team qualifying from the three-team Group E, Cameroon will be on standby on Friday while Congo face Niger at the same venue.

Elsewhere, Mali and Angola played to a high scoring six goal stalemate draw in the opening Group D match of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship at the Miloud Hadefi Stadium in Oran on Monday.

A brace in the first half by Laurindo Aurelio and second half strike by Miguel Viera for Angola was cancelled out by goals from Haidou Sinyako, Yoro Diaby and Ousmane Coulibaly for Mali who put up a brave fight to take away a point.

Cameron with three pojnts will be on standby on Friday while Congo face Niger at the same venue.

Only one team to qualify from the three-team Group E. 

Ambiance dans le vestiaire des #LionsA’ après leur victoire lors de leur premier match de la compétition. #CAMEROUN 🇨🇲 1️⃣➖0️⃣ 🇨🇬#CONGO

📆 16/01/2022
🏟 Stade Omnisport d’Oran#CMRCON | #TOTALENERGIESCHAN2022 | #ALGERIE2023 | #GOLIONS | #ALLEZLESLIONS | #LETSROARTOGETHER pic.twitter.com/JTPoVYK580

— Les Lions Indomptables Officiel (@LIndomptables) January 16, 2023

#TotalEnergiesCHAN2022 | Le défendeur des #Aigles, Yoro Mamadou Diaby, auteur du 2è but malien, désigné homme du match de #Mali vs #Angola (3-3). #NidDesAigles #AllezLesAigles pic.twitter.com/L62Xw0OWLh

— FEMAFOOT (@femafoot) January 16, 2023

AFP News – Full Chan Fixtures are attached.

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