Cameroon can seal AFCON 2027 place with victory over Namibia

Cameroon need one more win to confirm their 23rd appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations, and their seventh in a row, when they face Namibia in Gaborone on Monday at 14:00.

The Indomitable Lions took control of Group G with a 2-0 victory in Douala on Thursday, giving them a three-point lead at the top and the chance to officially secure qualification with another success in this second meeting between the sides.

David Pagou’s team began building momentum during the FIFA Series in March and have collected seven points from their opening three qualifying matches. They beat Comoros 3-1, drew 1-1 away to Congo and then defeated Namibia with first-half goals from Saidou Alioum Moubarak and Bil Nsongo.

Cameroon have scored at least twice in three of their past five matches and kept three clean sheets during that run. One of those shutouts came in a notable 1-0 friendly victory against Cote d’Ivoire in early October.

Ranked 42nd in the FIFA standings, Cameroon have also been difficult to beat away from home. They have lost only once in their past eight away matches, recording five victories during that sequence.

Namibia’s qualification hopes have suffered a major setback. The Brave Warriors are now one point behind second-placed Comoros after Comoros drew with Congo, while Thursday’s defeat extended their losing run to three matches in all competitions.

Collin Benjamin’s side have failed to score since their opening 1-0 victory over Congo and have conceded nine goals in their past three games. That sequence includes a 6-0 friendly defeat in Russia, which followed a 1-0 loss away to Comoros.

There is some encouragement for the hosts, despite the match being staged at Botswana National Stadium. Namibia have lost only one of their past five competitive home matches, winning two of the last three, and drew 0-0 with Cameroon in their most recent home meeting. Their overall record against Cameroon remains poor, however, with four defeats in seven encounters.

Namibia’s qualifying form is victory, defeat, defeat, while their overall sequence is defeat, victory, victory, defeat, defeat, defeat. Cameroon’s corresponding records are victory, draw, victory and defeat, victory, victory, draw, victory, victory.

Namibia remain without midfielder Peter Shitembi, who left the squad injured before the first match. No further injuries or suspensions have been reported. Experienced players Deon Hotto, Riaan Hanamub and captain Peter Shalulile are expected to start.

Cameroon will again be without Carlos Baleba and Christian Kofane, who missed the first game because of injuries sustained with their clubs. Defender Mahamadou Nagida returns after serving a suspension, while Bryan Mbeumo, who provided the assist for Nsongo’s goal in Douala, is expected to continue on the right of the attack.

The match preview points to a narrow Cameroon victory, with a 0-1 scoreline considered the most likely outcome. Cameroon are priced at 1.45 to win, while under 2.5 goals is listed at 1.55 and the exact 0-1 score at 4.50.