Soccer News of Friday, 30 January 2015

Source: Cameroon Tribune

Cameroon Versus Cote d'Ivoire: Players ratings

By losing 1-0 to Cote d'Ivoire, the Indomitable Lions went crashing out of AFCON 2015 in the first round.

Joseph Ondoa

He was the savior of Cameroon once more thwarting a goal opportunity for Côte d’Ivoire barely four minutes into the encounter. Another crucial save at the 19th minute but conceded a goal at the 36th minute. He limited the damage for the Lions as the score line would have been greater had it not been for his crucial saves. He was the best player of the tournament as his performance was once more above average.

Jérome Guihoata

Good positioning and passing of the ball. He was also good at marking as he sealed off the right flank forcing the Ivoirians to pass through the left flank. He however allowed Gradel to shoot from long range and beat goalkeeper Ondoa. His performance was good though he caused the goal.

Nicolas Nkoulou

Good defensive skills but was found wanting a few times in the encounter.

Aurelien Chedjou

He played his role well making two crucial saves for Cameroon. Always providing cover to team mates at the defense.

Bedimo Nsame Henri

Not as efficient as in the past matches with most of the Elephants initiative passing through his wing. His performance was good.

Georges Mandjeck

Much was expected from him but he was simply transparent in the encounter and there is nothing to write home about him. He was below average.

Stephane Mbia Etoundi

Though playing as a midfielder he contributed in the defensive and offensive effort and would have scored from a spot kick at the 15th minute had his header not been deflected out of target. He was the most outstanding player of the encounter as his performance was above average.

Frank Etoundi

Didn’t have good ball control despite good positioning on the field and didn’t guide headers well he looked timid and lacked the fighting spirit of the lions. No doubt he was replaced in the second half by Kweuke.

Benjamin Moukandjo

Very offensive as usual but kept the ball too much. He could have opened scores at the 13th minute. He was replaced at the 66th minute by Clinton Njie. He was just average in the encounter.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting

Combative and tactical and almost hit the target at the 34th minute but was stopped by the goalkeeper. He was however not at his best in the game. Like the rest of the Lions, he was mediocre and only played well during the dying minutes of the game. His performance was just average.

Salli Edgar

He was very combative as usual and would have got the equalizer just before the half time break but woefully missed the target for the second time in the game. No doubt he was replaced in the second half by Aboubakar Vincent.

Aboubakar Vincent

He was more applied to the game than in the first two games probably because he came in as substitute. He however seemed to have lost his usual reflexes as he missed several balls.

Leonard Kweuke

He brought in some freshness in the attack line pushing the Ivoirians into their own half as he fixed the defenders. However, he didn’t have enough time to make his impact felt. His performance was average.

Clinton Njie

He brought more vivacity and aggressiveness into Cameroon’s play when he came in at the 66th minute. He confirmed all the good that was said about him, playing with rapidity which earned him the nickname ‘La Fusée’ in France though he played on for 24 minutes.