Cameroon, leaders of Group G, host Namibia on Thursday at the Japoma Stadium in Douala for matchday 3 of the AFCON qualifiers. Bryan Mbeumo, captain and Manchester United forward, is available, while Mahamadou Nagida is suspended and Darlin Yongwa has been ruled out.
Cameroon face Namibia this Thursday 12 November at 19:00 GMT (20:00 local time) at the Japoma Stadium in Douala, according to Afrik-foot. The Indomitable Lions sit top of Group G with 4 points, ahead of a Namibia side on 3.
On the eve of the match, head coach David Pagou must make do with a depleted squad. Cameroon, ranked 42nd in the FIFA rankings, host a Namibian team ranked 123rd.
A depleted squad
Mahamadou Nagida is suspended after accumulating yellow cards, and Darlin Yongwa has been ruled out. Fécafoot has not announced an official withdrawal for Danny Namaso, but he did not take part in Wednesday’s collective training session and remains doubtful, according to Lebledparle and Cameroun24.net.
Carlos Baleba, injured in the hamstring with Manchester United, has withdrawn; he is replaced by Ryan Fosso of Standard Liège. Christian Kofane and Karl Etta Eyong are absent, as are André Onana, Vincent Aboubakar and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who remain out of the national team picture.
On the positive side, captain Bryan Mbeumo is available after being named Manchester United’s player of the month for October. Enzo Ebosse returns, having not played for Cameroon since the 2022 World Cup. Lilian Njoh could take advantage of the absences to make his first start at Japoma.
Two teams, two trajectories
Namibia, coached by Collin Benjamin, picked up their 3 points by beating Congo 1-0, before losing 0-1 to the Comoros. Cameroon, for their part, have a 3-1 win over the Comoros and a 1-1 draw in Congo-Brazzaville.
Statistically, Cameroon have not lost at home in AFCON qualifiers since 28 February 1999, a run of 29 matches. Namibia, meanwhile, have gone 12 consecutive away matches in AFCON qualifiers conceding at least one goal.
A double header
This match is the first leg of a double header: the return fixture is scheduled for Monday 16 November at 13:00 GMT, in Namibia. Just four days separate the two teams between the two games.
It remains to be seen whether David Pagou’s side can confirm their top spot at Japoma, with key absences and Mbeumo back in the squad.