Deprived of Carlos Baleba, sidelined with a hamstring injury, Cameroon face Namibia in Douala on 12 November, before the return match on 16 November in Gaborone, in Group G of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
Cameroon will have to do without Carlos Baleba for their double header against Namibia, on 12 and 16 November, in Group G of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. The Manchester United midfielder has a hamstring injury, according to We.com.na.
Top of the group with four points from two matches, Cameroon open this double header on 12 November at the Japoma Stadium in Douala. The return match will be played on 16 November in Gaborone, Botswana, where Namibia will host. Second with three points, Namibia go into these two games with a record that is still fragile.
Baleba, injured in a match against Roma
Carlos Baleba picked up a hamstring injury in a Manchester United match against Roma, We.com.na reports. His absence deprives Cameroon of a midfielder for this double header.
Cameroon began their campaign with a 3-1 win over the Comoros, then a 1-1 draw with Congo. With four points, they therefore go into this double header in a position of strength, without Baleba.
Namibia, three points and a heavy friendly defeat
Namibia have three points from two matches: a 1-0 win over Congo in Gaborone, thanks to a goal from Betuel Muzeu (Sekhukhune United), then a 1-0 defeat to the Comoros in Moroni. Head coach Collin Benjamin has named a final squad of 22 players for these two matches.
The Namibians, however, come into these games on the back of a heavy 6-0 friendly defeat to Russia. According to We.com.na, Collin Benjamin has since stressed the need for physical and tactical improvements, and took full responsibility for the result.
An even head-to-head record
Recent meetings between the two nations are evenly balanced. In March 2023, Namibia beat Cameroon 2-1, before earning a 1-1 draw in Yaoundé in the return match.
In 2024, the two teams drew 0-0 in Namibia, then Cameroon won 1-0.