Cameroon vs DR Congo: Expert Njoh backs Lions in high-stakes showdown
Cameroon meets DR Congo on Thursday at 20:00 in Rabat, Morocco, in a defining semi-final clash of the CAF World Cup 2026 play-offs, with a place in the next round on the line.
Form, history and momentum split the narrative. Cameroon arrives as the pre-match favourite, buoyed by its last outing, yet DR Congo carries strong momentum of its own.
The Leopards reached the AFCON semi-finals in their most recent campaign and pushed Senegal to the final matchdays of group qualifying after spending long stretches at the top of the standings. Their competitive edge remains sharp.
Cameroon coach Marc Brys takes no risks for this tie. He names his strongest available squad, signalling the scale of the challenge.
The Belgian coach understands the margin for error sits at zero. His team must win to protect its World Cup ambition.
Veteran Cameroonian journalist Ulrich Tchomo, speaking to 237foot, described the encounter as a test of nerve, discipline and tactical clarity.
Tchomo, who works with FootAzimuts, believes Cameroon ultimately finds a way through but warns against underestimating the opening exchanges.
“This match has a level of difficulty many people fail to grasp,” Tchomo said. “The stakes are massive.
The opponent brings quality, structure and belief. DR Congo ran neck-and-neck with Senegal until the final two qualifying games.
That shows their mindset and capacity to compete under pressure.”
Tchomo pointed specifically to the danger window inside the opening 30 minutes. “The Congolese push intensity early.
They play at a high rhythm and test defensive balance immediately,” he said. “Cameroon must stay compact, organised and calm in that first half hour. If they concede early, the scenario becomes complicated fast.”
He added that Cameroon must evolve its approach once it absorbs the early wave of pressure. “After that initial burst, DR Congo often loosens grip.
That’s when Brys must shift the team into a more progressive attacking rhythm, with speed in build-up and movement between lines,” Tchomo explained.
The pundit also spoke about temperament. “Tactics decide matches, but mentality wins them.
Cameroon needs aggression with control, bravery without chaos, and constant focus for 90 minutes — or 120 if it goes there.”
Tchomo remains optimistic. “Cameroon has the players, the personality and the tools to trouble this DR Congo side.
If they compete with hunger and clarity, they can reach the next step.”
With two nations, one match, and a World Cup dream hanging in balance, everything now shifts to execution on the pitch.
