Cameroon take aim at Angola in must-win clash

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Sunday Oct 12, 2025. 16:00

Cameroon will be determined to wrap up their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (Group D) campaign with a victory when they square off with Angola on Monday.

Kick-off is at 6:00 CAT.

The match is scheduled to be played at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé, which is the capital city of Cameroon and it its also the second-largest city in the country.

The Indomitable Lions returned to winning ways when they claimed a 2-0 win over Mauritius away in a Group D clash on October 8. Before overcoming the Dodos, Cape Verde had ended Cameroon’s five-match unbeaten run in another Group D encounter last month.

Cameroon are placed second in the group standings – two points behind leaders Cape Verde. The Indomitable Lions can only secure direct qualification for the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA if they overcome Angola, and Cape Verde lose to Eswatini on the same day.

“We played intelligently in the first half. The game could have been more vertical, but we had control. We deserved this victory. It’s good for morale and for our group standings. And there are no injuries, so we’re happy at the end,” Cameroon head coach Marc Brys told reporters.

“We’ve already played against Angola and we know they’re a team that plays with a lot of speed, and boldness too. We’ll stick to our style and find their weak points. We have a few days to prepare well,” he concluded.

Cameroon defender Michael Ngadeu picked up his second yellow card in the ongoing World Cup qualifiers against Mauritius and the Beijing Guan star is expected to miss the Angola match due to a one-match suspension.

Meanwhile, Angola showed character as they fought back to hold Eswatini to a 2-2 draw away in a Group D encounter on October 8 and therefore, the Black Sable Antelopes are undefeated in their last two matches, having defeated Mauritius last month.

The Black Sable Antelopes are placed fourth in the group standings, having already been eliminated and the Southern African side will be looking to end their disappointing qualifying campaign with what would be their third victory in Group D.

“Our target is to finish this campaign strongly and identify players for AFCON,” Angola head coach Patrice Beaumelle told reporters.

“It was important to see the athletes’ reaction when we were at a disadvantage. This is the spirit we will have to maintain in the upcoming matches.”

Angola will be without Swansea City’s Manuel Benson, who has left the team’s camp due to personal reasons and injured FC Dallas midfielder Show will also be absent. Their Black Sable Antelopes teammate, Jonathan Buatu of Gil Vicente, is an injury doubt.

Cameroon and Angola have met 16 times across all competitions following their maiden meeting in August 1981.

The Indomitable Lions have the upper hand in this rivalry, having won six matches compared to the Black Sable Antelopes’ two victories and eight games were drawn.

The last meeting between the two sides ended in a 1-1 draw in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier played at the Estádio 11 de Novembro in Luanda in June 2024.