Mbeumo & co tee up Eswatini World Cup qualifier

Bryan Mbeumo © Gallo Images

Led by stars such as Manchester United duo Bryan Mbeumo and Andre Onana, Cameroon will hope to further their advancements during the CAF Fifa World Cup qualifiers when they take on Eswatini at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium on Thursday. Kick-off is at 9pm (CAT, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

The Indomitable Lions are currently unbeaten in Group D and are in second place, one point behind Cape Verde who accumulated 13 points after six matches played.

In their last set of qualifiers, Cameroon recorded a surprise 0-0 draw against their upcoming opponents, before bagging an impressive 3-1 victory against Libya at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium on 25 March.

Eswatini were left frustrated in their most recent World Cup qualifier, after they shared the spoils with Mauritius in a 3-3 draw in a game that took place at the Mbombela Stadium on 23 March.

Sihlangu Semnikati are without a win during their WC qualifying campaign, as two draws and four losses left them in last position in Group D.

WHAT WAS SAID

Cameroon national team Marc Brys made headlines in the media recently after he reserved strong words for Liverpool star Hugo Ekitike, who is said to be petitioning for a place in the French national team despite being eligible to represent Cameroon.

“I haven’t contacted him. He put all his money into trying to play for France and he didn’t succeed. And now we, Cameroon, are his second choice?” Brys said after Ekitike wasn’t named in the France squad for their upcoming qualifiers.

“I don’t need to be a second choice. He’s a good player, that’s not the issue. In the situation I described, he doesn’t deserve to come here,” he said.

Speaking ahead of Eswatini’s latest qualifying commitments, Eswatini Football Association marketing and communications officer Muzi Radebe confirmed that head coach Zdravko Logarusic will be present for the next set of games despite reports of being missing from the national team.

“The coach said he would be back before this week ends [as of 8 August],” Radebe said.

“The Eswatini Football Association is also expecting him to be back within this stipulated period.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Cameroon: Bryan Mbeumo – The Red Devils star has been a standout performer in the Premier League this season and is expected to play a big role in Cameroon’s progress during the remainder of the qualifiers.

Eswatini: Philani Mkhonto – Despite Eswatini’s struggles, Philani Mkhonto will be a goal threat for Eswatini against Cameroon. Following a brace against Les Dodos last time out, Mkhonto is expected to lead the goal scoring charge going forward.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Games: 1

Cameroon wins: 0

Eswatini: 0

Draws: 1