Cameroon-Burundi thriller rounds out AFCON qualifying

Rigobert Song coach of Cameroon

Tuesday Sep 12, 2023. 11:00

The Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tournament will draw to a close on the evening of Tuesday 12 September with a potential thriller between Cameroon and Burundi in Garoua.

This lone clash on Tuesday night at the Roumde Adjia Stadium will decide the fate of three-team Group C.

Heading into the match, Namibia stand atop the log with five points from four matches, while Cameroon and Burundi have four points each from three matches.

The Brave Warriors’ campaign is complete and they are at the mercy of this result to decide if they will qualify for a second AFCON in the space of three editions (having last appeared at the 2019 tournament in Egypt).

If either Cameroon or Burundi claim victory, they will join Namibia in qualification. However, a draw would result in a three-way tie in which all teams would have five points from games against each other, the same goal difference, and therefore goals scored or away goals scored would be the likely deciding factors.

The do-or-die nature of the match has even seen Indomitable Lions coach Rigobert Song bury the hatchet with key figure Andre Onana. The Manchester United goalkeeper retired from international football after a row with Song at the 2022 World Cup, but will be back to man the posts come Tuesday evening.

“It all depended on him. He knew what he had to do. If he’s on the list, it’s because he did the right thing,” Song told reporters.

“He’s one of the best goalkeepers, the door was always open. There was never a problem with Andre. Today, we are satisfied that he is reunited with the group.”

AFCON fixtures, Tuesday 12 September

Times CAT

21:00: Cameroon v Burundi