In what can be described as the greatest upset so far in this year’s World cup, Cameroon succumbed to a shocking 1-0 defeat to Japan in its opening Group E match.

No one saw it coming; every African supporter thought the game was a done deal. Cameroon had never lost an opening match in the World Cup while Japan had never won any World Cup match on foreign soil. Worse still, Japan had lost all their World Cup preparation matches including a 2-0 defeat to Ivory Coast. On paper there was always going to be one winner; Cameroon.

The writer, together with a contingent of six overenthusiastic African fans, decided to take supporting to another dimension. Still suffering from the Ghanaian victory hangover, we preferred guzzling traditional African food to blowing the vuvuzela. A huge container filled with African pancakes (Zitumbuwa) and cold giant jugs filled with Thobwa (a local Malawian drink) were brought into the living room; where all the action from the Free State Stadium was being witnessed. Surely, a victory for the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and stomachs filled with Thobwa could have provided an ecstasy only paradise would provide. 

The game started on a high note for Africans with Cameroon completely dominating. The Lions seemed ready to roar as their physical strength and style of play appeared to have outwitted Japan’s plans for the day. The passionate fans that surrounded the author cheered as if they were physically in the Stadium. Perhaps the yeast in the Thobwa mixed with sugar, had fermented in their stomachs and intoxicated their judgements; making the line between imagination and reality blurred.

But soon, the honeymoon was going to be over. In the 37th minute, Japan got the lone goal of the match. Midfielder, Daisuke Matsui, controlled the ball on the right flank, faked a cross with his right foot and cut back to his left before delivering an inch perfect cross to the far post.  The ball drifted past all the defenders and met Kiesuke Honda's swinging foot. Cameroon goalkeeper, Hamidou Souleymanou, had no chance to react as the ball flew past him at a fast pace.

The Indomitable Lions’ bench was stunned, fans at the stadium were silenced and all African supporters were in disarray, as Honda ran down the touchline to cerebrate his memorable goal. 

The passionate fans surrounding the writer were in a hysteric condition. Suffering the consequences of eating without moderation and watching a team perform below par, the mood in the living room quickly became sombre. 

Cameroon controlled the rest of the game but did not do much with the ball possession they enjoyed. In the 86th minute, Cameroon came close to equalizing. Stephane Mbia, unleashed a 35-yard shot that thundered off the crossbar and back into play.

In the end it was tears for the Africans and jubilation for the Japanese as once again the underdog had emerged victorious. With five African games played the statistics do not look good. One win, one draw and three losses, is not a great way to start a tournament as a host continent. African teams must improve quickly, least one morning; all Africans might wake up and find themselves on the wrong side of football history.