MTNFootball

06 August 2011

Cameroon have become the third African side to reach the Last 16 of the 2011 FIFA Under-20 World Cup after a 1-0 victory over Uruguay on Friday night.

The Young Indomitable Lions finished second in their Group B and will now play Central American side Mexico in the second round. Uruguay have been eliminated.

There was not much to write home about in the early stages of the match with the first real effort of the game coming after 23 minutes as Idriss Nguessi shot wide.

But the breakthrough for the Africans came in the 28th minute when Christ Mbondi crossed for Emmanuel Mbongo, who beat goalkeeper Salvador Ichazo from close-range.

Franck Ohandza should have made it 2-0 as he failed to profit from a defensive mix-up at the back for Uruguay, shooting wide with the goal at his mercy.

Uruguay had two opportunities before the break to draw level as Diego Polenta shot wide when well-placed, and then Diego Rodriguez's effort was saved by Jean Efala in the Cameroon goal.

At the other end, Uruguay keeper Ichazo denied Mbondi and then Ohandza twice as he kept his side in with a sniff.

But Cameroon held on for the win that puts them into the knockout stages and a meeting with Mexico on Tuesday. They join Egypt and Nigeria in the second round, with the Pharoahs facing Argentina also on Tuesday and Nigeria’s opponent still to be determined.

Meanwhile, Mali bowed out of the competition on Friday as they lost 2-0 to France to finish bottom of Group A with three straight defeats and no goals scored.

Cedric Bakambu and Alexandre Lacazette scored for France within seven second half minutes to deny the Maliens.