André-Frank Zambo Anguissa was the only Napoli player in action on Friday. The friendly against Panama was played as 14:00 local time in Cameroon, to prepare the home side for the heat that is expected in Doha during the Group Stage of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Anguissa played the full 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw. The Napoli midfielder was the star of Cameroon’s midfield, playing with the same intensity, movement, creativity and intelligence that has made him a fixture of Luciano Spalletti’s starting XI.
Anguissa had a hand both goals, which happened to be scored in the opening stages of the second half. Shortly after the restart, Frank pressed high and dispossessed Panama right back Harold Cummings. The ball rolled to half-time substitute Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, whose first effort was stopped by Orlando Mosquera. The Bayern Munich forward controlled the rebound and placed his second effort into the bottom corner to put Cameroon ahead.
The lead did not last long, with Michael Amir Murillo equalizing from a set piece only seven minutes later. The free kick was conceded by Anguissa, who inadvertently handled the ball in a dangerous area. The central defender curled his shot around the wall and past Cameroon goalkeeper André Onana, who struggled to see the ball with the sun shining in his eyes.
The draw was Cameroon’s final friendly ahead of the World Cup. The Indomitable Lions will open the Group Stage with an important match against Switzerland on Thursday.
