Cameroon favourites to open 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying against Comoros

Cameroon begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Comoros at Stade Roumde Adjia in Garoua on Thursday, with the hosts expected to start Group G with a victory.

The group also contains Congo, who face Cameroon next, and Namibia, who meet Comoros in the coming days.

Cameroon impressed at CAN 2025 despite changing manager only days before the tournament began. They finished second and unbeaten in a group featuring Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique and Gabon, before overcoming South Africa 2-1 in the last 16.

Their run ended in the quarter-finals with a 2-0 defeat by hosts Morocco. A heavily changed squad then played at the FIFA Series in March, losing 1-0 to Australia before beating China 2-0. Manager David Pagou subsequently opted to rest his players during the final FIFA dates of the 2025-26 season in June.

The Indomitable Lions have also been particularly strong at home. They won all three of their home matches in the previous Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign and four of their five home games in 2026 World Cup qualifying.

Playing in Garoua may have been unexpected, but Stade Roumde Adjia has proved a fortunate venue. Cameroon qualified for CAN 2023 there by beating Burundi 3-0, then opened their most recent qualifying campaign with a 1-0 victory over Namibia.

Comoros arrive with fewer assurances. The Coelacanths were eliminated in the group stage of the last CAN after failing to score, drawing 0-0 with Zambia and Mali and losing 2-0 to Morocco.

That campaign cost Stefano Cusin his job, with Hubert Velud appointed as his replacement. Velud’s first tournament, the March FIFA Series, brought a 0-0 draw with Namibia, followed by a penalty shootout defeat, a 1-0 loss to Kazakhstan and a 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea.

Comoros have lost their past two meetings with Cameroon: 3-0 in 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying and 2-1 in the last 16 of CAN 2021. The latter match was played in controversial circumstances during the pandemic, forcing defender Chaker Alhadhur to play in goal.

Cameroon’s recent form is DVVNV in competitive matches and VDDVV in all competitions. Comoros’ records are NNDDD and VDNNN respectively.

The hosts have again made significant changes. Andre Onana, Vincent Aboubakar and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting are absent, while Nouhou Tolo, Devis Epassy, Christian Bassogog and Christopher Wooh have also been omitted. Carlos Baleba is injured and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa has retired internationally.

Karl Etta Eyong withdrew after the squad was announced and was replaced by Ivan Cedric Bikoue Embolo. Five players could make their debuts: Lilian Njoh, Bill Nsongo, Harouna Djibirin, Roy Nyengue and Merlin Lako Wendeu.

Simon Ngapandouetnbu, Blondy Nna Noukeu and Wendeu are competing to start in goal, with Bryan Mbeumo, Christian Kofane and Arthur Avom among the leading names.

Comoros are also rebuilding under Velud. Youssouf M’Changama, Faiz Selemani and El Fardou Ben Nabouhane remain out, although Bendjaloud Youssouf returns alongside Adel Mahamoud.

Cameroon probable XI: Noukeu; Tchamadeu, Keben, Kotto, Yongwa; Monyebe, Avom, Namaso; Mbeumo, Kofane, Djibirin.

Comoros probable XI: Pandor; Benjaloud Youssouf, Toibibou, Kari, Abdallah; Bourhane, Iyad Mohamed, Youssouf; Zakouani, Ali Abdallah, Mahamoud.

Cameroon have lost only one of their past five competitive matches and are clear favourites at home against a Comoros side still searching for attacking confidence.