David Pagou warns Cameroon against underestimating Group G rivals in AFCON 2027 qualifiers

Cameroon coach David Pagou has urged his outfit to remain fully focused and avoid complacency in their bid to secure qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

The Indomitable Lions have been drawn against Comoros, Namibia and Republic of the Congo in Group G following the draw in Cairo, Egypt.

However, Pagou believes the group is evenly balanced and has cautioned against underestimating any opponent, insisting that African football has evolved significantly and that smaller nations are now capable of competing with the continent’s traditional heavyweights.

Speaking after the draw, Pagou stressed that Cameroon’s success will depend less on the reputation of their opponents and more on their own mentality, discipline and consistency throughout the campaign.

“I’d say it’s a balanced group, but whenever Cameroon has focused on itself, I think things have always gone well,” Pagou explained.

“So these are teams we must take very seriously. There are no longer any ‘minnows’ in football: all teams are on a level playing field; now it’s up to us to do the job.”

His comments reflect the growing competitiveness across African football, where nations once considered outsiders have increasingly challenged the continent’s elite in major tournaments and qualification campaigns.

Cameroon, one of Africa’s most decorated football nations, will head into the group as favourites on paper due to their history, pedigree and depth of talent. However, Pagou is fully aware that reputation alone will not guarantee qualification.

The coach singled out Namibia as a particularly difficult opponent, noting the recent history between the two countries in qualifying competitions. According to Pagou, the Brave Warriors have consistently made life difficult for the Indomitable Lions.

“As for Namibia, we’ve been in the same qualifying groups for three consecutive tournaments; they’re a team that’s always caused us problems,” he said.

Indeed, recent encounters between Cameroon and Namibia have often been tightly contested, underlining the progress made by the Southern African side in recent years.

Pagou also warned against overlooking Congo, describing them as a dangerous and competitive team capable of causing problems for any opponent in the group.

“The Republic of Congo are no pushovers either. It’s now up to us to focus on ourselves. We’ll approach every match with the aim of winning it, as every team is a force to be reckoned with.”

The coach further highlighted the psychological challenge that comes with being Cameroon, explaining that every nation raises its level when facing the five-time African champions.

“The prospect of playing against Cameroon will be an extra incentive for every nation,” Pagou concluded.

Cameroon will now begin preparations for what promises to be a demanding qualification campaign, with expectations once again high among supporters hoping to see the Indomitable Lions reaffirm their dominance on the continental stage.

With experienced stars and emerging talents expected to form the backbone of the squad, the focus will now shift toward maintaining consistency, avoiding complacency and delivering strong performances from the opening matchday.

CAF has also condensed the qualification schedule because of the short period before the finals, which are scheduled to run from June 19 to July 17, 2027.

Matchdays one and two will be played between September 21 and October 6, 2026, while matchdays three and four are set for November 9 to 17, 2026. The final two rounds of qualifiers will take place from March 22 to 30, 2027.