Cape Verde stunned Cameroon with a 1-0 victory in Praia to move within touching distance of a historic first FIFA World Cup appearance.
In driving rain on a slick artificial pitch, the Blue Sharks looked sharper from the start. Dailon Livramento forced André Onana into an early save and Jovane Cabral saw penalty appeals waved away.
Cameroon’s best moment came just before half-time when André-Frank Zambo Anguissa’s header was superbly denied by Vozinha.
But moments into the second half, Livramento stole the show. The midfielder surged half the length of the pitch before burying a low strike past Onana to spark wild celebrations.
Marc Brys’ Indomitable Lions pushed for an equaliser, with Carlos Baleba going close twice and Onana even joined the attack late on, but Cape Verde stayed disciplined and could have killed the game off through Jamiro Monteiro and Willy Semedo.
The result leaves Cape Verde four points clear at the top of Group D with just two games to play, while Cameroon are left clinging to second place with Libya still in the hunt.
Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea took charge of the whistle in this crunch World Cup qualifier.
By: Pascal Amoah
