Yaounde, Cameroon – Eswatini’s hopes of making an impression in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers suffered a setback on Thursday night after a 3-0 defeat to Cameroon in Yaounde.
The Group D clash at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium saw Sihlangu Semnikati concede within the opening six minutes when Gift Gamedze’s attempted clearance looped into his own net following a dangerous ball played in by Bryan Mbeumo.
The Indomitable Lions doubled their lead in the 25th minute. Mbeumo once again proved influential, swinging in a cross that Georges-Kévin N’Koudou met with a well-placed header past goalkeeper Khanyakwezwe Shabalala.
Three minutes later, Arthur Avom made it 3-0 with a powerful strike inside the box, putting the hosts firmly in control before half-time.
Eswatini, coached by Dominic Kunene, struggled to match the physicality and pace of the Cameroonians, managing only brief spells of possession in the second half. Sihlangu pushed forward in the closing stages but failed to trouble Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana, who had little to do across the 90 minutes.
The result leaves Cameroon just a point behind Group D leaders Cape Verde, who earlier defeated Mauritius 2-0. Eswatini remain bottom of the group and will need a turnaround in their next fixture to revive hopes of staying in contention.
Line-ups:
Cameroon: Onana, Ngamaleu, Ngadeu (Namaso 70’), Boyomo, Aboubakar, Anguissa (Bokele 70’), Hongla, Arthur (Choupo-Moting 65’), Nkoudou (Bassogg 65’), Mbeumo (Magri 82’), Aboubakar.
Eswatini: Shabalala, Dlamini, Figareido (Mavuso 72’), Gamedze, Kunene (Sihlonhonyane 78’), Mabelesa, Masangane (Shongwe 46’), Matsebula (Mabilisa 78’), Mkhonto (Kibonge 83’), Philiso, Thwala.
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