Cameroon face off with DR Congo in key World Cup playoff on Thursday – Preview

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon will lock horns with DR Congo in a high-stake 2026 World Cup playoff, scheduled to take place at the Stade El Barid on Thursday evening.

Both teams are aiming to revive their World Cup qualification campaign, having missed out on automatic slot during the qualifiers.

The playoff structure sees Cameroon face DR Congo, while Nigeria takes on Gabon at the Prince Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex in Rabat. The winners will compete on November 16 for a spot in the intercontinental playoffs.

In promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams are in a dire need of a win to secure a place in the playoff final scheduled for Sunday, November 16.

Cameroon, who hold the record for the most appearances by an African nation at the global showpiece (eight times) must now navigate a long road to a ninth mundial following an inconsistent qualifying campaign.

The Indomitable Lions fell short in Group D, with Cape Verde securing a historic qualification to the biggest soccer mundial to be staged in the USA, Canada and Mexico next year.

Despite missing out on automatic slot, Marc Brys and his charges managed to finish among the top four second-placed nations, earning them a place in the African playoff.

Meanwhile Cameroon will have to negotiate for victory without influential trio of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Andre Onana and Frank Zambo Anguissa due to injury setbacks.

In their absence, Marc Brys will be counting on Bryan Mbeumo, who recently won the Premier League Player of the Month for October after a standout display for Manchester United over the month. Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba and experienced forward Vincent Aboubakar are expected to play crucial roles for the Indomitable Lions in the upcoming clash.

The Leopards, on the other hand, secured a spot among the top four runners-up following victory over Sudan on the final matchday of the preliminaries.

Meanwhile, Congo must cope without injured Yoane Wissa, who suffered a knee problem in the defeat to Senegal in September. Goalkeeper Dimitri Bertaud, defender Dylan Batubinsika, midfielder Grady Diangana and strikers Jackson Muleka and Afimico Pululu are among those absent from the previous international break.

Cedric Bakambu finished as Congo’s top scorer in the qualifiers with four goals, leaving him two shy of the nation’s all-time record holder Dieumerci Mbokani, and he will be looking to at least close the gap in this match.

Desabre is likely to retain a back four of Arthur Masuaku, Chancel Mbemba, Axel Tuanzebe and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, with Lionel Mpasi expected in goal.