Match report

Cameroon Defeats South Africa 2-1 in Africa Cup of Nations

South Africa
South Africa
1–2
FT
Cameroon
Cameroon
Jan 4, 2026

Cameroon secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over South Africa in their Africa Cup of Nations encounter. Junior Tchamadeu and C. M. Kofane scored for Cameroon, with E. Makgopa netting a consolation goal for South Africa late in the match. The game was marred by several yellow cards, with Cameroon showing early dominance before South Africa rallied late.

Key Facts

  • • Cameroon won 2-1
  • • Goals: Junior Tchamadeu (34'), C. M. Kofane (47'), E. Makgopa (88')
  • • Multiple yellow cards issued to South Africa players
  • • Several substitutions were made by both teams

Lineups

South Africa

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 1 R. Williams (G)
  • 21 S. Ngezana (D)
  • 19 N. Sibisi (D)
  • 14 M. Mbokazi (D)
  • 20 K. Mudau (M)
  • 4 T. Mokoena (M)
  • 15 B. J. Aubaas (M)
  • 18 S. Kabini (M)
  • 7 O. Appollis (F)
  • 10 R. Mofokeng (F)
  • 9 L. Foster (F)

Substitutes

  • 2 T. Smith
  • 3 K. Ndamane
  • 5 T. Mbatha
  • 6 A. Modiba
  • 8 T. Moremi
  • 11 M. Nkota
  • 12 E. Mokwana
  • 13 S. Sithole
  • 16 S. Chaine
  • 17 S. Mbule
  • 22 R. Goss
  • 23 E. Makgopa
  • 25 T. Matuludi
  • 24 S. Campbell

Cameroon

Starting XI

  • 16 D. Epassy (G)
  • 3 C. Malone Junior (D)
  • 17 S. Kotto (D)
  • 5 Nouhou (D)
  • 2 J. Tchamadeu (M)
  • 15 A. Avom (M)
  • 24 C. Baleba (M)
  • 14 D. Namaso (M)
  • 13 D. Yongwa (M)
  • 10 B. Mbeumo (F)
  • 26 C. Kofane (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 S. Omossola
  • 4 C. Wooh
  • 6 G. Nyamsi
  • 7 G. N'Koudou
  • 8 J. Onana
  • 9 F. Magri
  • 11 C. Bassogog
  • 12 P. Soko
  • 18 M. Nagida
  • 27 A. M. Kamdem
  • 20 O. Kemen
  • 22 F. Boyomo
  • 23 S. Ngapandouetnbu
  • 25 J. Dina Ebimbe
  • 21 K. Etta Eyong

Timeline

  1. Cameroon
    2' Cameroon Card · Yellow Card
    Nouhou Tolo

    Foul

  2. Cameroon
    21' Cameroon subst · Substitution 1
    Off: D. Yongwa · On: M. Nagida
  3. South Africa
    32' South Africa Card · Yellow Card
    Siyabonga Ngezana

    Foul

  4. Cameroon
    34' Cameroon Goal · Normal Goal
    Junior Tchamadeu · Assist: Samuel Kotto
  5. Cameroon
    47' Cameroon Goal · Normal Goal
    C. M. Kofane · Assist: M. Nagida
  6. South Africa
    59' South Africa Card · Yellow Card
    Nkosinathi Sibisi

    Foul

  7. South Africa
    63' South Africa subst · Substitution 1
    Off: S. Kabini · On: Aubrey Modiba
  8. South Africa
    63' South Africa subst · Substitution 2
    Off: O. Appollis · On: E. Makgopa
  9. South Africa
    65' South Africa Card · Yellow Card
    Aubrey Modiba

    Foul

  10. South Africa
    72' South Africa Card · Yellow Card
    Teboho Mokoena

    Foul

  11. South Africa
    75' South Africa subst · Substitution 3
    Off: R. Mofokeng · On: S. Mbule
  12. Cameroon
    79' Cameroon subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Unknown player · On: C. Wooh
  13. Cameroon
    79' Cameroon subst · Substitution 3
    Off: D. Namaso · On: O. Kemen
  14. South Africa
    83' South Africa Card · Yellow Card
    L. Foster

    Argument

  15. South Africa
    83' South Africa subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Nkosinathi Sibisi · On: T. Moremi
  16. Cameroon
    87' Cameroon Card · Yellow Card
    C. Baleba

    Time wasting

  17. South Africa
    88' South Africa Goal · Normal Goal
    E. Makgopa · Assist: Aubrey Modiba
  18. Cameroon
    90' Cameroon subst · Substitution 4
    Off: C. M. Kofane · On: P. Soko
  19. Cameroon
    90' Cameroon subst · Substitution 5
    Off: C. Baleba · On: Flavien Boyomo

Match Stats

Stat South Africa Cameroon
Fouls 14 13
Pass Accuracy 86% 73%
Offsides 3 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 18 10
Corners 6 3
Total Passes 515 263
Yellow Cards 5 2
Blocked Shots 6 2
Shots on Target 4 4
xG — —
Shots off Target 8 4
Possession 66% 34%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 442 192
Shots Inside Box 12 6
Saves 2 3
Shots Outside Box 6 4

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Cameroon took the lead early with Junior Tchamadeu's goal in the 34th minute, followed by C. M. Kofane's goal in the 47th minute, solidifying their lead
  • ▸ South Africa's late goal by E. Makgopa in the 88th minute provided a brief moment of hope but was not enough to overturn the deficit