As they competed in their play-off with Algeria earlier this year, Cameroon was mere minutes away from seeing their World Cup ambitions vanish. But with to a spectacular away goal by Karl Toko Ekambi, the Indomitable Lions were able to secure a spot in Qatar.
At the beginning of 2022, Cameroon, led by former Porto striker Vincent Aboubakar, finished third in their home Africa Cup of Nations, losing a spot in the final to Egypt, another African country not present in Qatar, on penalties.
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Despite not having qualified for Russia four years prior, they were drawn with Brazil in 2014 and fell 4-1 in their final match after dropping the first two meetings to Mexico and Croatia.
They were also dissatisfied in South Africa in 2010, but this time around, Cameroon could shock many in the winter World Cup thanks to some potent attackers and one of the world’s most promising young goalkeepers in former Ajax star and current Inter Milan shot-stopper Andre Onana.
Group fixtures(all times GMT)
Thursday 24 November: Switzerland vs Cameroon – 10:00
Monday 28 November: Cameroon vs Serbia – 10:00
Friday 2 December: Cameroon vs Brazil – 19:00
Predicted squad
Goalkeepers: Andre Onana (Inter Milan), Devis Epassy (Abha), Simon Ngapandouetnbu (Marseille)
Defenders: Nicholas Nkoulou (Aris), Collins Fai (Al-Tai), Nouhou Tolo (Seattle Sounders), Olivier Mbaizo (Philadelphia Union), Jean-Charles Castelletto (Nantes), Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui (Gent), Jerome Onguene (Eintracht Frankfurt), Christopher Wooh (Rennes)
Midfielders: Georges Mandjeck (Nea Salamis), Pierre Kunde (Olympiacos), Samuel Gouet (Mechelen), Martin Hongla (Hellas Verona), Olivierr Ntcham (Swansea City), Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli), Arnaud Djoum (Dundee United), Jeando Fuchs (Peterborough United)
Forwards: Vincent Aboubakar (Al-Nassr), Karl Toko Ekambi (Lyon), Moumi Ngamaleu (Dynamo Moscow), Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford), Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (Bayern Munich), Christian Bassogog (Shanghai Shenhua), Clinton N’Jie (Sivasspor)
Ones to watch
Star – Karl Toko Ekambi: The reason Cameroon are in Qatar, the highly-rated Lyon forward’s goal sparked jubilant scenes as Cameroon beat Algeria in their play-off. He has scored 12 goals in 50 games since his debut in 2015, and netted five times at AFCON earlier this year. This will be his first World Cup.
Breakout talent – Bryan Mbeumo: The Brentford striker – who has linked up so brilliantly with Ivan Toney since the Bees’ promotion to the Premier League – represented France at youth level but switched allegiance to Cameroon in August, the nation of his father. He made his debut in a friendly against Uzbekistan and could be effective for the Indomitable Lions up front, whether from the start or from the bench.
Prediction
Cameroon will be competing for second place in Group G, after Brazil, but the Indomitable Lions may face tough competition from Serbia and Switzerland, who both brilliantly won qualifying groups against Portugal and Italy, respectively. Since the team of 1990 and Roger Milla’s infamous goal-scoring celebration, they have not advanced to the knockout stages, which suggests they will also struggle. Knocked out in the group stage.
