Cameroon 0-0 Benin: 3 Reasons why the Indomitable Lions failed to win the game | African Cup of Nations 2019

#2 The Squirrels were defensively strong

Benin celebrate their round of 16 entrance after holding Cameroon to a draw

While the final third was not important for Benin in this match, evident from their zero shots on target, they needed to salvage at least a point in order to have a chance to enter the round of 16. Salvage that point, they did.

Stephane Bahoken's very poor outing in particular was to the credit of the Beninese defence who held down the entire attacking force of their stronger opponent. The Benin midfield were very defensive and had a total of eight tackles, five more than the four-man line behind them.

However, the back four made a record 22 clearances in the match. While they had only three tackles and four interceptions, much of their defensive work came in the form of hoofing the ball away from immediate danger.

Notably, the Beninois defence committed only three fouls in the game.

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#1 Cameroon were poor in the final third

The Lions could not salvage a win

While many accolades should go to the bulk of the Cameroonian midfield, who took control of the field, the attackers were found wanting on the most important aspect of the game.

As evident from a passing accuracy of 85%, the team did all they could to maintain pressure on Benin while holding on to the ball. Yet, no final ball found it's way in.

Although they got 11 shots on goal, it is rather embarrassing that only two were on target. Stephen Bahoken, who played the entire match, failed to take a single shot at goal, failed to make a single key pass, and was caught offside three times.

Notably, the Indomitable Lions were unable to make many key passes to produce chances. They had only seven key passes, only three more than their opponents who barely managed 30% possession in the whole game.