Eswatini secured their first point of the World Cup qualifiers with a 0-0 draw against Cameroon at Mbombela Stadium on Wednesday. The result comes as a disappointment for Cameroon, who have attended more World Cup finals than any other African nation.
The Indomitable Lions, featuring Premier League stars like André Onana and Bryan Mbeumo, struggled throughout the match. Their performance was noticeably impacted by poor travel arrangements, arriving at their hotel in Nelspruit only 15 hours before kick-off. Originally scheduled to land at Nelspruit airport, their flight was delayed, forcing the team to reroute to Johannesburg. After a three-hour wait, they made a grueling five-hour bus journey to the match venue.
Despite their late arrival, Cameroon showed dominance in possession but failed to capitalize on opportunities. Eswatini, while largely on the defensive, had several moments of resilience and nearly caught the visitors off guard with a few counter-attacks.
The result leaves Cameroon at the top of Group D with nine points, two ahead of Libya and Cape Verde. Both teams play their fixtures on Thursday, with home games against Angola and Mauritius, respectively.
Meanwhile, Tunisia and Madagascar both enjoyed successful away performances in their qualifiers. Tunisia extended their lead in Group H, with Hazem Mastouri’s early goal securing a 1-0 win over Liberia. Madagascar, led by new coach Corentin Martins, dominated the Central African Republic 4-1 in Casablanca, with two goals from Rayan Raveloson.
With nine more qualifiers set for Thursday, the race to secure World Cup spots intensifies. The winners of each group will qualify for the tournament in North America, while the four best second-placed teams will enter a playoff for an additional berth.
Cameroon vs Eswatini Highlights
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