Franck Kom wins Confederation Cup with Etoile

Franck Kom and his team mates of Etoile Sportive of Sahel are in seventh heaven after claiming the Caf Confederation Cup title on Sunday evening against South African side Orlando Pirates

A first-half goal from Ammar Jemal, who equally scored in the 1-1 draw in the first leg, to claim a 2-1 aggregate victory and lift Africa's second-tier club trophy.

Franck Kom who was a mainstay in the middle of the park in both legs and was very pivotal in a defensive displayes in the second leg where the Tunisians dropped deep to protect their lead.

This is the second Confederation Cup trophy Etoile are lifting after 2006 but the first for the Indomitable Lion.

The 24-year old joined the club from Panthere of Nde in 2012 and has made close to 100 appearances winning two domestic Cup titles and has today added the Confederation Cup to his trophy cabinet.

UMS Loum win Cup of Cameroon

UMS Loum have written their name into the history books of the Cup of Cameroon by winning their first trophy after a two nil win over Panthere of Nde.

A early second- half goal from Sameli and a late strike from Alphonse Tientcheu sealed the win for Oliver Nankam's charges.

Panthere had a chance to level scores late into the game when they were awarded a penalty but they squandered the chance before Etogue sealed the win from UMS Loum.

Man of the Match Tientcheu shaking hands with the Head of State

With a goal and assist in the game, UMS Alphonse Tientcheu was voted Man of the Match ahead of his team mates Ohandza and Mafanya. The prize-giving ceremony would take place tomorrow in Yaounde.

Niger satisfied despite World Cup failure

The Menas rather look upbeat despite failing to progress to the final round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Niger captain Soulemane Sakou has praised his team for their efforts against Cameroon despite losing three nil on aggregate and failing to progress to the final round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Niger held Cameroon to a goalless draw in Yaounde

Niger lost three nil at home to Cameroon in the first leg but put up a spirited display in the second leg as they pulled out of Yaounde with a goalless draw.

Sakou believes the draw is a satisfactory result and paid respect to the Indomitable Lions whom he feels were superior to them.

Moussa Maazou(number 2) outjumps Chedjou to threaten Kameni with a powerful header

''It's emotional(to play against Cameroon) because we are only used to seeing them play on TV...they(Cameroon) are used to top level football,'' Sakou said on his admiration for Cameroon.

Bowing out with pride:Sakou satisfied with draw against Cameroon

''It's a psychological satisfaction to play against these players whom who are used to Africa Cup of Nations and World Cups

''It's is a great honour for us and we are very satisfied(after this game),'' Sakou said.

The Niger bench watches on

On his part, assistant head coach Cheick Diabaté said his players could be proud of themselves after keeping a clean sheet in Yaounde and looks towards a brighter future with the team

''It is always satisfactory when you don't concede(as we did today)... I am not interested by the scoreline (0-3 aggregate) but I want to judge our level of play 

Niger assistant looking to build on from Cameroon game

''We are building a team for the future.. and we hope that in three years we will bring the best out of these players and be at the same level with the other teams.

Niger now turn their attention to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers which resume next year.

After Niger draw, Mbia wants reconciliation with Cameroonians

The Indomitable Lions' skipper called on their fans to stick with them ahead of the group stage and final phase  of the qualifiers of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Despite firing blanks in the second leg in Yaounde, the Lions progressed to the final round thanks to a three nil victory in the first leg.

The Lions have come under heavy criticism from a section of their fans and the media for some lackluster displays of recent and the goalless draw did not make things better.

Leading by example?: Mbia called has called on fans to stick with the team

However, Mbia, has called on them to stand behind their team and give them the final push to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Bedimo had several penalty appeals waved away

''I think the most important thing (now) is to reconcile with the fans, but this can only happen by winning our matches...The fans are very demanding,'' Mbia told a press conference after the draw against Niger.

Mbia and team mates have come under the microscope for their recent displays

After three quick fire goals in the first leg, fans expected a repeat of that performance in Yaounde but a resolute Niger team frustrated the Lions in their own back yard but Mbia says his team mates can heart from their performance.

Moukandjo could not break through the Niger defence

''Both games are in no way identical  and the coach was clear with us... he wanted us to be disciplined, humble and show mutual respect and we did just that

Lions are bidding for their eighth World Cup ticket

''We scored three in the first leg and most important, we kept a clean sheet in both games. We tried our best today but there are days when things don't work out the way you want.

Clinton Njie was given an hour to impress

Cameroon now turn their attention to the draw of the final stages that would be held next month

FT: Cameroon 0-0 Niger

The Lions move to the next group stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and will now look to qualify for their 8th world Cup. Niger showed spirit but paid for five minutes of madness in the first leg where they shipped in three goals to rule them out of the tie. Thanks for being with us and see you soon. Goodbye!!!

90+3' FT Cameroon 0-0 Niger. Aggregate 3-0

90+1'  Bedimo launches one last counter as he sprints ahead and plays on Choupo Moting who has been the best player on the pitch this second half but he is stopped by the Niger defenders

Three minutes of time added on

89' Third and final change as Siani makes way for Franck Kom to see out the final minutes of this game.

87' Penalty appeal waved away!!!!! Bedimo again goes crashing on the floorr from a heavy challenge but the referee once again waves the appeal away as Niger sprint immediately on the counter and Maazou is through on goal as he fire one at goal but Kameni stays steady to parry the ball for a corner. That was a big chance for the visitors.

80' Free kick for Cameroon as Kweuke is brought down and Moukandjo's ensuing freekick is parried for a corner.

78' Choupo Moting keeps hold of the ball as he tries to wriggle through the Niger defence but the Menas gang up on him as Soulaiman picks up the ball and tries to sprint a fast counter but Cameroon are alert clear their lines.

75' For a team that needs to score goals, Niger have so far disappointed in this half if not in the whole game as they have been camped in their own half since the start of this second half.

71' Mbia and Siani interchange passes before he releases Bedimo on the left who had burst into the opposition box before crashing to the floor at the slightest contact and the referee once again gives a blind eye.

69' Oyongo Bitolo goes crashing into the Niger box after a darting run that saw him beat three players but the referee not for the first time this afternoon waved away any penalty shout.

68' Bedimo delivers a brilliant ball into the box towrds Kweuke who fails to sort his feet out before the Niger defence clears.

SUBSTITUTION for Cameroon as Leonard Kweuke comes IN and Clinton Njies makes way. Cameroon now switch to two upfront

66' CHANCE!!!!!! Choupo Moting unleashes a shot but Daouda Kassaly stretches out to punch away that one as Cameroon come again.

65' Cameroon have been poor on their set piece delivery and Moukandjo just proved that with another poor delivery from a promising position that lands straight into the hands of Daouda Kassaly.

64'Cameroon are trying to play a high line as Aurelien Chedjou is almost at the half way line. That enables the midfielder to press high and win back the ball early

63' Composed display for Alli Mohammed there under pressure to play the ball back to his keeper and kill that Cameroon attack.

Substitution for Niger as Adebayo is brought on. Oyongo Bitolo will be on red alert with the winger's pace....

60' Moukandjo immediatley gets into the heat as he is played through by Njie before firing a shot that fails to trouble Daouda Kassaly.

SUBSTITUTION CAMEROON: Moukandjo IN, Salli Edgar OUT

58' Cameroon about to make their first substitution as the stadium rises up to welcome Benjamin Moukandjo who missed the first leg and was left out from the start today. He slots in post for post as Salli Edgar leaves the pitch

55' Daouda Kassaly is not troubled by that shot from Oyongo Bitolo which lacked pace and precision

50' Maazou is proving to be a thorn in the Cameroonian defence as he uses his strength to beat the defenders before he is brought down by Nicolas Nkoulou. Free kick for Niger and yellow card for the Marseille man.

49' Great pressing from the Tottenham man who presses the Niger defence and wins back the ball fro Cameroon before surging on for another attack but his brought down at the edge of the box as he raises his hand in hope but the referee waves away any appeals for a penalty.

48' Free kick for Cameroon but Njie's shot flies high above the cross bar.

47' Cameroon win a corner after Njie's shot was parried for a corner by Daouda Kassaly but a poor delivery from the ensuing corner by Oyongo enables Niger to clear their lines.

46' Second half underway....

45+2' Half Time Cameroon 0-0 Niger. The Lions have dominated possession with 61 percent but the visitors have been deep in their own half and proceeding through pacy counters. As things stand, Cameroon will be heading to the next round of the qualifiers unless Niger spring up one of the most memorable come backs in the second half.

45+1' Abubakarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. The Porto man does well to dummy two men in the box before curling a shot that goes off target. He should have done better.

44' The ensuik set piece is whipped in by Salli but Niger clear.

43' Soumaila picks up the first card of the game as fatigue begins to creep in for the Niger defenders who have been closing down all the spaces with their deep lying defence. Free kick for Cameroon.

40' Into the last five minutes of this half as Choupo Moting tries to organise play for the Lions as he plays on to Salli Edgar but the Saint Gallen man losses possession and Niger counter rapidly but Chedjou steps up to clear

38' Abubakar does not look focused on the ball as he has cheaply lost possession a couple of times at the edge of the box

32'Nkoulou wins a free kick for Cameroon as he attempts to clear a cross from Maazou but is brought down by an on rushing Niger player.

29' CHANCE for Cameroon!!! Clinton Njie manages to get into acres of space in the Niger defence and fires at goal but Daouda Kassaly was steady to get behind the ball. The Niger goalkeeper is in familiar terrain after playing in this stadium on several occasions for Cotonsport of Garoua against the Yaounde-based teams.

24' Niger appeal for a penalty after Nkoulou accidentally handles the ball inside the box but the referee waves play on much to the disappointment of Moussa Maazou.

21' Niger respond brilliantly as they press on Cameroon with Mohammed Chikoto playing on Soulaiman whose shot is way off target to trouble Kameni in goal

18' The Niger defence stood strong there to clear Abubakar's shot that was destined for goal..

15' Brilliant skills from Njie to weave past three defenders before laying on the ball for Abubakar who could not find the right connection...

12' Close to a quarter of the game played and both sides are evenly poised...

8' Edgar Salli is brought down on the far right corner as Cameroon win a free kick. The former Cotonsport man launches the ball in the box but the visitors clear but only as far as Oyongo what has a chance to relaunch an attach but Cameroon play the ball around up back to Kameni

7' Cisse plays in Soumaila on the right after harrying Oyongo off the ball but Chedjou steps in clear his lines.

6' Bedimo's clearance lands on Maazou who plays with Moukhtari but Mbia breaks up the resulting counter from the host. The midfield battle has been even so far

4' CHANCE for Niger. Moussa Maazou hits the woodwork after a one-two with Moukhtari as he beats off a challenge from Bedimo. Kameni had a firm hand on that shot.

2'End-to-end stuff here within the first two minutes of the game as Cameroon win the first corner of the game but Kassaly collects

1'-And we are underway here in Yaounde as Niger get aggressive and fire the first shot of the game

The match officials are from Egypt.

-Despite their heavy loss at home, head coach Francois Zahoui has the same team here today in Yaounde.

Niger: Daouda-Maazou-Chikoto-Souleymane-Adamou-Kowa-Fatoukouma-Amadou Kalla-Cisse-Ali-Soumaila

-TEAM NEWS: Cameroon's starting XI: Kameni-Oyongo-Nkoulou-Chedjou-Bedimo-Mbia-Salli-Choupo-Nie-Abubakar.

-It was a brilliant victory for caretaker boss Alexandre Belinga who was handling his first game in charge since Volker Finke was dismissed who therefore maintains the same team that got the win last Friday.

Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Cameroon and Niger here at the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium. Both sides meet here just over 72 hours after the Lions recorded a three nil victory in the first leg in Niamey to put one foot into the last round of the qualifiers.

Cameroon maintain line up for Niger return

No need to change a winning team-Alexandre Belinga and his coaching staff haven understood it all and line up the same team that thrashed the Mena three nil in the first leg on Friday in Niamey.

So, Idriss Carlos Kameni keeps his place in goal and is set to play his first game at the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium since that famous 2-1 victory over Cape Verde in 2012 where the Lions failed to qualify for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

In defence, Aurelien Chedjou has shaken a niggling muscle strain to keep himself at centre half along side Nicolas Nkoulou. In the absence of a trusted right back, left-footer Oyongo Bitolo continues to deputise while Henri Bedimo comfortably slots in at left back.

Skipper Stephane Mbia has equally shaken off  slight knock that was threatening to rule him out of the game and will hold in midfield alongside Sebastian Siani who is proving to be a revelation as he makes he wins just his third cap for the Lions.

Edgar Salli was praised for his all round performance in the first leg, thus keeps his place in the attacking tier of midfield alongside Choupo Moting and Clinton Njie.

They would provide support for Vincent Abubakar who leads the line for the Lions.

The team had a light stroll this morning around town before the game which kicks off at three pm local time.

MatchPack will be bringing you the live texts commentary of the game as from 2:30pm.

Below are pictures of the Lions early this morning in Yaounde.

Chad sings Song's praises

Who said Manyang is an inexperienced coach? Then you will have to revise your lessons.

The former Indomitable Lions captain's reign as head coach of the Chadian national team started with a brilliant one nil victory over Egypt on Sunday in the first leg of their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Sunday.

A second half goal from Ezechiel N'Douassel gave the Sao a shock win against the former African Champions.

Songs of praise? Manyang starts Chad reign with win over Egypt

Just a month ago, Egypt thrashed Chad 5-1 in Ndjamena in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Despite completely dominating the first half, Egypt failed to break the Chadian resistance as both sides went to the dressing room with the score goalless.

However, the home side turned the tables in the second half and completely outplayed the Egyptians and it will pay off 17 minutes from time when N'Douassel headed home the winner unmarked.

Despite a late assault from the Egyptians, Chad held on to clinch a famous win as they look to complete the job on Tuesday in Cairo.

with additional reports from FIFA.com

CHAN 2016: Cameroon draw DR Congo, Angola and Ethiopia

Cameroon have been drawn in Group B of the 2016 of the African Championships alongside Ethiopia, Angola and the DR Congo.

The draw for the competition tailored for players plying their trade on the continent was conducted today in Kigali, capital of the host nation Rwanda.

The Indomitable Lions would face a tricky test against the winners of the maiden edition DR Congo, 2011 finalists Angola and minnows Ethiopia.

Host Rwanda are drawn in Group A alongside Gabon, Morocco and Cote d'Ivoire.

2011 winners Tunisia have been drawn in Group C alongside Nigeria, Niger and Guinea while while Zimbabwe, one of the two nations to have competed at every edition of the tournament since it started in 2009 are drawn alongside Mali, Uganda and Zambia in Group D.

Group A would be based at the Amahoro stadium in Kigali,Group B in Butare wile Group C will be based at the Nyamirambo stadium in Kigali and Gisenyi would host Group D.

The competition would run from January 16 to February 7, 2016

FT: Niger 0 vs 3 Cameroon

Full Time Niger 0 - 3 Cameroon. Goals from Stephane Mbia, Vincent Abubakar and Sali Edgar in five crazy minutes of the first half gave Cameroon a helthy advantage before the second leg on Wednesday in Yaounde. Niger need a miracle to turn this tie in a second leg. Catch you next Wednesday in Yaounde for the second leg!!!

90+4' One last chance for Niger to load and attack but Kom Franck clears as Cameroon hold up the ball.

90+2' Adebayo switches play to Sakho as the host monopolise possession in the final minutes of this game still can't breakdown the Cameroonian defence.

90' Cameroon clear their lines from the resulting corner. FOUR minutes of time added on

89' Mazouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu . What a chance!!!! Adebayo whips in a cross that finds the head of the China-based striker with Kameni almost beaten. Niger benefit from a corner.

88' Cameroon launch a counter from a Niger corner as Oumarou plays in Kweuke but his pass is over hit as Daouda Kassaly races off his lines to clear.

87' Ali Mohammed bears down on the by line before releasing a cross but Chedjou cuts it from Moukthari.

86' Kameni tries to gain time with the ball before playing a long ball to Oumarou who looks to unleash Kweuke but Moukhatri is strong to clear.

85'  LEONARD KWEUKE IN for CHOUPO MOTING to see off the final minutes of this game.

84' Chikhoto and Amadou Moukthari try to play the ball from their own half but Cameroon gang up in midfield as the hosts find it difficult to break down the lions.

83'Yellow card to Kameni for time wasting

82' Fakoutouma, and Mokhatari move the ball around smothly before playing on Soumaila but the Cameroonian defence looks unshakable as Nkoulou clears.

80' Niger are trying to save their face with one goal as Nasser plays in Moussa Maazou who charges on towards goal to no avail as the lines man had raised his flag for an offside against the experienced striker.

76'  Ali Mohammed tries to find his feet in the middle of the park but is robbed off the ball as the two Abubakar launch a counter as release Bedimo who had joined the attackn rom the left but the Lyon man's cross is parried for a corner. Salli Edgar whips in the corner but Daouda Kassaly rises up high to collect the ball.

74' Niger look to relaunch play for Niger after Siani was caught off side.

73' Oumarou Abubakar is robbed off the ball by Soumaila but Kom Franck claws him down for one of his first actions as Niger win a free kick.

Like for Like substitution there for Cameroon as Franck comes in to shield the back four as Mbia is given 20 minutes off to rest for the return. Choupo Moting has been handed the armband.

70' SUBSTITUTION FOR CAMEROON as MBIA is OFF and KOM FRANCK ON

69'Salli and Choupo Moting play a short corner before finding Mbia in the box who fails to make the connection.

68' Daouda Kassaly is don injured as Franck Kom is on the touchline warming up

67'Free kick for Niger as Oyongo Bitolo brings down Abdel Nasser. Mohammed Chikoto whips in a strong strike but the Cameroonian defence clears the ball immediately as the Lions counter but Abubakar Oumarou one on one misses the chance to score the fourth goal as Kassaly beats off the ball for a corner. What a chance!!!

65'What a chance for Niger as Soumaila plays in Maazou on goal but Kmeni makes himself big to puch the ball for a corner as Cameroon clear from the resulting set piece.

64' Salli Edgar is doing a great job in terms of pressing as well as tracking back as he wins his duel with Soumaila.

63' SUBSTITUTION for Cameroon Clinton Njie OFF Abubakar Oumarou ON!!!

62' It is finlly Oyongo but the bally is just off target as Daouda launches another attack for Niger but Chikotok is stopped at the far right by Oyongo Bitolo has has been steady after a shaky start.

61' Free kick for Cameroon after Choupo Moting is brought down by Mohammed Chikoto as Abubakar steps up to see if he can replicate the first half magic. Oyongo Bitolo is equally standing over the ball.

59' Moussa Maazou has kept the Cameroonian defence busy but hs not been able to find the break through as he is caught off side this time.

57' Niger gain a free kick from the resulting corner. a free kick forllows at the edge of the box but Moukthari's shot is blocked by the Cameroonian wall.

56' Niger win a corner after Maazou nutmegs two Cameroonian defenders before playing on Mouktari but Kameni is fast to rush off his line and sends the ball out for a corner.

52' Clington Njie and Salli Edgar have been switching flanks as Salli now finds himself on the left as he plays with Bedimo who unleashes a cross but Niger clear and launch a counter through Abdul Nasser who tries to fire in a cross but Kameni confidently collects off his line.

50' Njieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. What a chance from the Tottenham man who beats the Niger defence before unleashing a shot but Dapuda Kassaly parries it wide for a corner. The resulting corner is whipped in by Salli Edgar but Niger clear their lines

49'WHAT A CHANCE!!!! Moussa Maazou thought he had pulled one back but the offside flag cuts his joy short.

48'Cameroon have remained aggressive as in the first half as Choupo Moting harangs Alli on the far side.

47'Cameroon have two players on the turf as Salli Edgard looks in pain on the pitch  as well as Oyongo Bitolo.

46' We are back underway and Vincent Abubakar almost puts Cameroon 4 up. What a Chance!!!!!

45+2' HALF TIME: In five minutes, Cameroon turned the game on its head with strikes from Mbia, Abubakar and Salli Edgar. It has been a deserved lead for Cameroon who have bossed the game from start to end. Alexandre Belinga would be looking to guard his charges from letting complacency creep into their game.

45+1' Unlucky there for Niger as Kameni is beaten but the ball hits the wood work back to the Malaga man who knew nothing and collects the ball. Cameroon rode their luck their and will go into the locker room with a clean sheet.

45' There will be two minutes of time added on as Cameroon look to see off this first half with a clean sheet.

The crowd is completely silenced here as Cameroon look to have run away with the game. They are leaving no stone unturned as as Chedjou gesticulates to Mbia to tuck in and help in defence.

Choupo Moting picks up a lose ball from a poor clearance by Daouda Kassaly who fails to recover on time as

39'GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL for Camerooon  3-0. Salli Edgar makes it three nil for Cameroon.

What a free kick from Abubakar who beats Daouda who was static in goal as he powers his shot in.2-0 Cameroon.

38'GOOAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL for Cameroon Vincent Abubakar scores two nil Cameroon!!!!!

CAPTAIN'S GOAL for Cameroon as Stephane Mbia rises high from the resulting corner by Salli Edgard to head home the ball as the Niger defence went to sleep.

36'GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL for Camerooon Mbia scores for Cameroon

What a chance for Abubakar as he beats the Niger defence but his shot is deflected for a corner

34' Maazou is at it again but his shot is too tame.

32'Patient build up play for Niger as Ali Mohamed tries to weave his way with a pas to Amadou who returns the favour but the 19-year old is caught into two minds either to shot or to cross but ends up doing half of both.

28' Niger are finding it difficult to play out of their own half or find Maazou as Cameroon gang up on them in midfield. Kameni has had little to do in goal for Cameroon so far.

26' Maazou tries to counter from a Cameroon corner but Siani steps in the middle of the park to rob the skipper of possession. Cameroon always gang up on the forward whenever he is in possession

25' Great composure from the Cameroonian defence as Amadou Moutari tries to play in Maazou with a cross but Oyongo Bitolo cuts in before laying the ball with his chest on to Kameni.

24' Mohamman Cisse robs Nkoulou of a poor ball played by Oyongo, as he plays in Souleyman Sakho who bears down on the Cameroonian goal but Oyongo recovers fast to block his shot as Cameroon regain possession

22' Souleymane Sakho is down in pains as he took one there from Stephane Mbia who is no stranger to tough tackling.

20' Mohamman Cisse and Sakho try to play the ball around in the middle of the park but are choked out of possession by the Mbia and Siani .

19' Maazou charges once more on goal but is halted on his course by the offside flag.

17' Moussa Mazou has undoubtedly been the danger man for the hosts as he holds up the Cameroonian defence again before bearing down on goal but is stopped by Nkoulou who immediately lunch a counter for Cameroon. End-to-end stuff here.

16' Salli Edgard, Clinton Njie and Abubakar(twice) have had chances to put Cameroon ahead.

14' WHAT A CHANCE !!! Siani lays a beautiful pass to Abubakar who beats three defenders but can not pull a convincing shot at the last minute to beat Daouda Kassaly. How on earth have Cameroon not score from a hat trick of chances in less than two minutes???

12'Cameroon break forward immediately from the resulting corner as Njie releases Abubakar who fires on goal but Daouda Kassaly is on target to beat the shot away. That was almost the opener for Cameroon.

10' Cameroon make a mess of a throwing and Niger gain possession and hit on a counter but Chedjou blocks Maazou's shot for a corner

9'Some touch line antics for Cameroon's Interim head coach Alexandre Belinga as he urges his charges to move the ball with urgency.

7' Sebastian Siani lays off a beautiful pass to Salli Edgard who drives the ball hard and low but Daouda Kassaly parries the ball away which falls to Abubakar but the Niger backline regroups and clears as Abdul Nasser leads an attack for the hosts.

4' Alli Mohammed beats off Bedimo before whiping a shot on to Moussa Maazou in the box but Aurelien Chedjou is better placed to clear his lines as Cameroon sprints off on a counter but Njie is halted by Adamou

2' Cameroon have started here on the front foot as Clinton Njie leads a counter and sets up Abubakar one on one with the Niger 'keeper but the Porto striker just falls short at the last minute.

1' And we re underway here in Niamey....

-Cameroon line up in a 4-2-3-1: Kameni-Oyongo-Nkoulou-Chedjou-Bedimo-Mbia-Siani-Salli-Choupo Moting-Njie-Aboubakar.

-We begin straight away with the team news from the home side Niger as they line up in a 4-3-3 :Daouda-Maazou-Chikoto-Souleymane-Adamou-Kowa-Fatoukouma-Amadou Kalla-Cisse-Ali-Soumaila

-Good afternoon and welcome to our live text coverage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Cameroon and Niger

Cameroon's starting XI against Niger

Idriss Carlos Kameni is set to start in goal for Cameroon against Niger this afternoon.

The 30-year old would make his first start for the Lions in almost three years.

Ahead of Kameni, Oyongo Bitolo, Henri Bedimo, Nicolas Nkoulou and Aurelien Chedjou would line up in defence.

Sebastian Siani and captain Stephane Mbia would hold in midfield while Salli Edgard, Choupo Moting and Clinton Njie would play behind lone striker Vincent Abubakar.

The match kicks off at 4 pm, local time and will be streamed live on MATCHPACK.

Cameroon's starting XI against Niger

Goalkeeper: Idriss Carlos Kameni

Defenders: Oyongo Bitolo-Nicolas Nkoulou-Aurelien Chedjou-Henri Bedimo

Midfielders-Stephane Mbia-Sebastian Siani

Forwards: Salli Edgard-Choupo Moting-Clinton Njie-Vincent Abubakar.

Lions en route to Niger

The Indomitable Lions have left Paris for Niamey where they would face Niger on Friday in the first leg of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The players held their first training sessions on yesterday in Paris with 21 out of the 24 players present.

The players later had a meeting in the evening with Sports Minister Bidoung Mkpatt and Roger Milla who challenged the Lions to stand up to the task and defeat Niger in the upcoming double header.

The Lions will hold a training session later this evening before one final session tomorrow ahead of Friday's game.

The second leg takes place four days later in Yaounde with the aggregate winner progressing to the group stage and final round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

Lions hold first training session in Paris

The Indomitable Lions held their first training session today in Paris ahead of their first leg 2018 World Cup qualifier against Niger.

Lions started training this morning

Twenty players took part in the training session this morning at the stade Auguste Delaune training complex in Paris.

Kameni has finally returned to the squad

The session supervised by Interim coach Alexandre Belinga consisted of  muscles-stimulating exercises as well as short passes in a reduced surface area.

Emphasis was laid on short passes

The second session of the day takes place later in the evening with Guy Roland Ndy Assembe and Toni Tchani expected to join the rest of the squad after playing for their respective clubs yesterday.

Interim coach Alexandre Belinga watches during his first training session

The Matip brothers, Joel and Marvin have both been ruled out of the game through injuries as well as Enoh Eyong

In a technical meeting yesterday, Alexandre Belinga stressed on the need for discipline, respect and humility from the players.

Team manager Alphonse Tchami stressed the importance of the double-header against Niger telling the players ''if we miss this opportunity we will wait for another four years again''

The team had a technical meeting yesterday

Cameroon face Niger on Friday in Niamey for the first leg before both sides meet four days later in Yaounde

The aggregate winner progresses to the group stage and final round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.