Abang wins third Cameroon cap in 3-2 loss to France

The New York Red Bulls' goal-a-game-in-USL, can't-get-a-game-in-MLS forward Anatole Abang came off the bench to win his third cap for Cameroon in his country's 3-2 loss to France in Nantes on May 30.

Abang entered the match in the 70th minute with Cameroon trailing Les Bleus, 2-1. He relieved goalscorer Vincent Aboubakar and settled into a role as the team's center forward.

The Indomitable Lions' head coach, Hugo Broos, appeared to have instructed his team to be patient, so Abang spent much of his time cautiously watching the French back line pass the ball around.

But when his chance came, Abang was equal to it. Following a goal kick into the final third, he was first to the bouncing ball after Laurent Koscielny slipped and had a square pass to teammate Maxim Choupo-Mouting before the French back line had a chance to recover its shape.

The Schalke 04 striker picked his spot and Cameroon had leveled the score with minutes left to play.

History, however, will better remember what happened next: West Ham's Dimitri Payet scored with an exquisite free kick.

France takes the win and moves on to play Scotland in Metz on June 4 in the team's final friendly before Euro 2016 kicks off on June 10. For Cameroon, this match will have proved a useful warm-up if it leads to a positive result against Mauritania in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying later this week.