CHAN 2020 preparations: Cameroon and Rwanda neck and neck

As the host nation for the 2020 African Nations Championship (CHAN), Cameroon has been using a series of friendly matches to fine-tune its squad ahead of the tournament. Following encounters with Congo and DR Congo, the Lions Indomptables faced Rwanda on Monday at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé, with the match ending in a goalless draw. Despite dominating possession at times, Cameroon struggled to create clear scoring opportunities, and Rwanda’s defense held firm throughout the 90 minutes, resulting in a stalemate.

The friendly matches have provided head coach Clément Arroga an opportunity to assess his players’ readiness and experiment with tactics ahead of CHAN 2020, which is scheduled to begin on April 4th. The tournament, reserved exclusively for players active in their domestic leagues, will see Cameroon placed in Group A alongside Mali, Zimbabwe, and one other team. This group promises a competitive start for the host nation, making the preparation matches all the more crucial in evaluating squad depth and cohesion.

For Rwanda, the draw against Cameroon offered valuable experience against a strong regional side. The Rwandan squad will soon face Morocco, Uganda, and Togo in the tournament, providing the team with further opportunities to gauge their strengths and weaknesses against different playing styles. Monday’s match allowed Rwanda to test defensive organization and resilience against a technically superior team, lessons that could prove vital in the group stage of CHAN.

Cameroon’s 0-0 draw reflects both the strengths and areas for improvement in the squad. While the Lions demonstrated solid defensive organization and midfield control, they lacked sharpness and penetration in the final third. Coach Arroga may use the remaining friendly matches to refine attacking strategies, work on finishing, and integrate promising domestic talents into the starting lineup. The preparation period is critical, as Cameroon aims to leverage its home advantage and contend for the title on its own soil.

The series of friendlies also allows the coaching staff to evaluate combinations, test set-piece routines, and build chemistry among players who are familiar with domestic competitions but may lack international experience. For a tournament like CHAN, where consistency and mental toughness are essential, these preparatory games provide insight into how players perform under pressure and adapt to different tactical scenarios.

As the countdown to April 4th continues, both Cameroon and Rwanda will use the lessons learned from Monday’s match to improve their readiness for CHAN 2020. The host nation seeks to balance defensive stability with attacking effectiveness, while Rwanda looks to solidify its defensive shape and prepare for a challenging group stage. These friendlies are more than just practice—they are a vital step in ensuring each team is fully prepared to compete at the highest level in the upcoming tournament.