Cameroon’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup suffered a major setback after a 0-0 draw with Angola at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé.
The result, coupled with Cape Verde’s 3-0 victory over Eswatini, leaves the Indomitable Lions uncertain of even securing a play-off spot.
Cameroon began the match with early urgency, winning a corner within the opening minute.
However, their bright start quickly faded as Angola settled into a compact defensive shape that frustrated Marc Brys’ men.
Despite dominating possession, Cameroon lacked the cutting edge to trouble Hugo Marques in goal.
Karl Etta Eyong, making his second consecutive start, found little space on the right flank as Angola’s defense stayed disciplined.
Nouhou Tolo produced Cameroon’s first real chance in the 27th minute, but his close-range effort was easily gathered by Marques.
Angola threatened before half-time when Mabululu’s dangerous free-kick forced André Onana into a fingertip save that deflected the ball onto the crossbar. The visitors grew in confidence as Cameroon’s attack struggled for ideas.
After the break, Cameroon tried to increase the tempo. Etta Eyong forced Marques into another save from the far post early in the second half, while Zambo Anguissa and Arthur Avom Ebong both came close but failed to convert.
Angola responded through Mabululu, who narrowly missed the target from a promising position.
The closing stages brought more tension than quality. Onana’s crossbar rescued Cameroon again in the 80th minute, before substitute Vincent Aboubakar saw his late shot pushed away by Marques in stoppage time.
The final whistle confirmed a goalless draw, leaving Cameroon’s qualification hopes hanging by a thread.
With Cape Verde already through, the Indomitable Lions now risk losing their play-off spot to teams like Nigeria, the DRC, or Uganda, depending on results and goal differences.
The draw extended Cameroon’s inconsistency in the qualifiers, raising questions about their ability to compete against Africa’s emerging powers.
Despite boasting top players like Onana, Mbeumo, and Zambo Anguissa, Cameroon lacked cohesion and clinical finishing when it mattered most.
As the dust settles, the Indomitable Lions must wait anxiously to learn their fate. Their World Cup dream, once bright, now depends on the results of their continental rivals.
🔴 Les Lions indomptables concèdent le match nul face à l’Angola (0-0) à domicile et terminent deuxième du groupe D. 🦁🇨🇲
Le Cameroun n’est même plus assuré de d’être parmi les meilleurs deuxièmes pour disputer les barrages continentaux de la Coupe du Monde 2026. DRAMATIQUE ! pic.twitter.com/VcL8HWl40Y
— AllezLesLions (@AllezLesLions) October 13, 2025
