Cameroon vs Eswatini: 2026 W/Cup qualifiers match preview, prediction
Cameroon national team in celebration. Photo Credit- Foot Africa
Cameroon, the Indomitable Lions, host Eswatini at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 8:00 PM WAT for Matchday 7 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African Qualifiers in Group D. With Cameroon chasing top spot and Eswatini languishing at the bottom, this clash pits a continental powerhouse against an underdog desperate for a spark. This preview explores both teams’ recent performances, tactical approaches, updated team news, head-to-head statistics, and predicts the potential scoreline.
Cameroon’s recent performances
Cameroon, ranked 51st globally, sit second in Group D with 12 points from six matches, trailing leaders Cape Verde by one point. The Indomitable Lions are unbeaten in the qualifiers, boasting three wins and three draws, scoring 12 goals and conceding just four, the best defensive record in their group. Their campaign began with a 3-0 rout of Mauritius in November 2023, followed by a 1-1 draw with Libya. A 4-1 thrashing of Cape Verde in June 2024 showcased their attacking prowess, with Bryan Mbeumo and Vincent Aboubakar starring, but a 0-0 draw against Angola and a shock 0-0 stalemate in Eswatini in March 2025 exposed inconsistencies. Their most recent qualifier, a 3-0 win over Libya on March 25, 2025, restored momentum, with Mbeumo and Aboubakar again on the scoresheet. However, a disappointing AFCON 2025 round-of-16 exit to Nigeria has kept pressure on coach Marc Brys, with fans expressing frustration after the Eswatini draw: “Cameroon with Aboubakar, Mbeumo, Bassogog, and Baleba couldn’t even beat Eswatini.”
Cameroon tactical approach
Brys employs a 4-3-3 formation, balancing defensive solidity with attacking flair. The midfield, led by André-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Carlos Baleba, focuses on controlling possession and breaking up play, as seen in their 56% possession against Libya. Mbeumo and Nicolas Ngamaleu exploit wide areas, feeding Aboubakar or Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in the box. Defensively, Christopher Wooh and Joyskim Dawa anchor a backline that has conceded just once in their last three qualifiers. Cameroon’s high press, evident in their four shots on target against Angola, aims to overwhelm weaker sides, though logistical issues, like the delayed travel to Eswatini, have disrupted preparation. Brys will likely target Eswatini’s fragile defense with quick transitions and set-piece dominance, having scored three goals from corners in the campaign.
Cameroon team news and injuries
Brys announced a 26-man squad on August 29, 2025, with two reserve players. Key returns include Choupo-Moting (New York Red Bulls), absent since June 2024, and Georges-Kevin Nkoudou after an extended break. New call-ups Mohamadou Nagida (defender, Strasbourg) and Ahmadou Moubarak (midfielder) add depth. Andre Onana (Manchester United) is expected to start in goal, despite a quiet outing in Eswatini. No major injuries have been reported, though Zambo Anguissa’s fitness was briefly a concern, now resolved. The squad’s blend of experience and youth, including Porto’s Dany Namaso and Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Nathan Ngoumou, signals Brys’ intent to rotate, with Ngamaleu likely to start over Christian Bassogog after the latter’s lackluster Eswatini performance.
Key Players: Bryan Mbeumo (RW), with three goals in the qualifiers, including a brace against Cape Verde, his pace and finishing are vital. André-Frank Zambo Anguissa (CM), his recent goal for Napoli and midfield dominance drive Cameroon’s engine and Vincent Aboubakar (ST), the captain’s two goals and physical presence make him a focal point, though he was wasteful in Eswatini.
Eswatini’s recent performances
Eswatini, ranked 159th globally, anchor Group D with two points from six matches, having drawn twice and lost four times, scoring four goals and conceding nine. Their qualifiers have been a struggle, with a 0-1 loss to Libya, a 0-2 defeat to Cape Verde, and a 2-1 loss to Mauritius in June 2024. A 3-3 draw with Mauritius in March 2025, where Philani Mkhonto scored twice, showed attacking promise, as did their 0-0 draw against Cameroon, a defensive masterclass led by goalkeeper Mlamuli Makhanya’s save on Aboubakar’s header. Their recent COSAFA Cup campaign was disappointing, with a 1-1 draw against Madagascar and a 2-1 loss to Tanzania, leaving them winless in four games. Eswatini’s three goals in their last three matches suggest some offensive spark, but their inability to win in 30 competitive matches, shows their underdog status.
Eswatini tactical approach
Coach Zdravko Logarusic deploys a 5-4-1 formation, prioritizing defensive solidity to frustrate opponents, as seen in their goalless draw with Cameroon. Makhanya’s goalkeeping and a compact backline, including Kwanele Thwala and Sibonginkhosi Dlamini, aim to absorb pressure, with 39% possession against Cameroon. Midfielders Mayibongwe Mabuza and Junior Magagula focus on breaking up play and launching counters, with Mkhonto as the lone striker exploiting spaces. Eswatini’s three goals from set pieces in the qualifiers highlight their reliance on dead balls, but their lack of firepower, three goals in 10 AFCON and World Cup qualifiers, limits their threat. Logarusic will likely park the bus, aiming to replicate their Mbombela resilience.
Eswatini team news and injuries
Logarusic named a 21-man squad for the September doubleheader, with Mkhonto, who scored twice against Mauritius, leading the attack. Mabuza, who netted on his debut in March, could earn a first start. No injuries have been reported, and the squad remains unchanged from the COSAFA Cup, with defenders like Neliswa Dlamini and Samkelo Mabilisa expected to form a tight backline. Logarusic’s limited options mean reliance on veterans like Justice Figuareido, though substitutions like Felix Badenhorst and Gift Gamedze added energy against Cameroon.
Key Players: Mlamuli Makhanya (GK), his crucial saves against Cameroon, including tipping Aboubakar’s header over, are Eswatini’s backbone. Philani Mkhonto (ST), with two goals in the qualifiers, his pace offers a rare counter-attacking threat. Mayibongwe Mabuza (MF), his debut goal and work rate could disrupt Cameroon’s midfield.
Cameroon vs Eswatini head-to-head statistics
Cameroon and Eswatini have met three times in World Cup qualifiers, with Cameroon holding the edge: one win and two draws, per Foot Africa. Their sole victory was a 5-0 thrashing in Yaoundé in 1985, with Roger Milla scoring twice. The recent meetings, both in 2025, ended in 0-0 draws, including the March 19 clash in Mbombela, where Eswatini’s defense neutralized Cameroon’s attack. Eswatini have never beaten Cameroon, and their 110-place FIFA ranking gap shows the challenge. Across these matches, Cameroon have scored five goals to Eswatini’s zero.Cameroon vs Eswatini score prediction
Cameroon’s attacking depth and home support at the 38,000-capacity Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium make them overwhelming favorites. Sports Mole predicts a “commanding win,” citing Cameroon’s 12 goals and Eswatini’s defensive frailties. However, Eswatini’s 0-0 draw in March and three goals in their last three games suggest they could nick a goal. Cameroon’s failure to score in their last two meetings with Eswatini adds caution, but their 3-0 Libya win shows their firepower. Expect Cameroon to dominate possession (around 60%, per SofaScore) and exploit set pieces.
