Cameroon’s lead trainer Rigobert Song Bahanag has revealed Vincent Aboubakar will be available for Tuesday’s return game of 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against the Desert Foxes of Algeria.
Islam Slimani’s 40th international goal was all it took to condemn the Indomitable Lions to their first defeat at the Japoma Stadium, and at home for the first time since losing to Ghana in 1998.
Cameroon’s main forward and top scorer at the 2021 TotalEnergies Vincent Aboubakar lasted 45 before making way for Leandre Kana Tawamba.
Song in his post-match analysis provided details on why he replaced the goal poacher.
“Vincent Aboubakar has a recurrent heel problem. The heavy nature of the pitch this evening aggravated the pain, that’s why we replaced him at the break to prevent a worse case scenario,” Song revealed before going on to give the duration of Aboubakar’s absence.
“We will see what happens in our next game, but we are sure he will be available to help the team.”
Cameroonians are hoping to have a fully fit Aboubakar that can create an impact in the return game while their host Algeria have a lead they just need to protect to earn a fifth appearance at the FIFA World Cup.
“Our performance was not bad. We did what had to be done. We remain confident, we need to get a result in the return game. we will try to qualify in Blida,” optimistic Rigobert Song concluded.
Coach Song’s first outing as coach of Cameroon ended in defeat on a night Djamel Belmadi made history. On the occasion of his 46th birthday, Belmadi became the first coach to guide the Desert Foxes of Algeria to a win in an official game against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and caused the seven time world cup finalist a first home defeat in an official game since 1998.
The reversed fixture is scheduled for Tuesday March 29 at the Mustapher Tchaker Stadium.
The winner of the tie progress to the 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament in Qatar later this year.
