Cameroon draws 1-1 with Algeria in kick-off match for 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign

There was little to separate Algeria and Cameroon on Sunday as two of the continent’s giants played out a 1-1 draw in Blida to kick off their World Cup Group B qualifying campaign.

The stalemate leaves the two behemoths behind Nigeria in a pool which has been dubbed the ‘Group of Death’ following the Super Eagles’ 2-1 victory over Zambia in Ndola earlier in the day.

The home side took the lead in the seventh minute when El Arbi Hillel Soudani—the top scorer in Nations Cup qualification and named in a starting lineup that didn’t include either Yacine Brahimi or Sofiane Feghouli—tapped in at the back post after Islam Slimani headed a corner into his path.

However, any hopes that the Fennecs would build on their strong early start were shattered in the 24th minute when Benjamin Moukandjo rifled past Rais M’Bolhi to level the contest after being played in by an excellent Edgar Salli pass.

While the home side—looking to extend a home winning streak that stretches back to 2010—enjoyed much of the possession, Cameroon’s defence held firm and the Fennecs were left frustrated in their search for the win during a sub-par second half, with Fabrice Ondoa on hand to save any efforts that did sneak past their watertight defence.

The North Africans, by contrast, were less convincing at the back, with M’Bolhi forced into several stops to deny the visitors a winner on the counter and leave the Indomitable Lions still chasing a first victory over Algeria in an official match.

Goal.com