The Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo will witness a high-stakes Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifying match this Tuesday as Cameroon and Zimbabwe battle for the top position in Group J. Both teams have shown resilience throughout the campaign, but only one can claim supremacy in the final group-stage match.
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Match Preview
Cameroon, under the guidance of Marc Brys, has enjoyed a strong campaign, leading Group J with 11 points. The Indomitable Lions have yet to taste defeat under Brys, boasting four wins and three draws in his tenure.
However, their goalless draw against Namibia in their last outing highlighted some inefficiencies in the final third. Despite their struggles to convert chances, Cameroon remains unbeaten and is aiming to close the group stage without a single loss—a feat they last achieved in 2017.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe enters the match trailing by just two points and in need of a victory to overtake Cameroon. The Warriors have rebounded impressively after a sluggish start to the qualifiers, clinching crucial wins against Namibia in October.
Their recent 1-1 draw with Kenya secured their place in next year’s AFCON tournament in Morocco, but Michael Nees’s side will now aim to challenge their poor record in away games.
Team News and Lineups
Injury concerns cloud the Cameroon camp as Nicolas Ngamaleu and Yvan Neyou picked up knocks in the last match. If they are unavailable, Georges-Kevin N’Koudou and Jean-Charles Castelletto are likely to step in.
Captain Vincent Aboubakar, who boasts 107 international caps, remains the focal point of Cameroon’s attack and will look to add to his impressive goal tally.
For Zimbabwe, Tawanda Maswanhise has emerged as a key player, with his recent strike against Kenya marking his fourth goal in as many matches. However, the Warriors may need to reshuffle their midfield, with Gerald Takwara doubtful after being forced off injured last time out.
Cameroon Predicted Lineup:
Onana; Tolo, Wooh, Ngadeu, Tchatchoua; Hongla; Bassogog, Magri, Neyou, N’Koudou; Aboubakar
Zimbabwe Predicted Lineup:
Arubi; Zemura, Hadebe, Godknows, Garananga; Rinomhota, Nakamba; Maswanhise, Munetsi, Musona; Billiat
Predictions and Key Insights
Cameroon’s dominant home record and unbeaten streak in the qualifiers give them an edge heading into this clash. Zimbabwe, however, has shown a knack for rising to the occasion in critical matches but has struggled to deliver consistently away from home.
While both teams are capable of securing a result, the odds favor the home side to capitalize on their form and clinch victory in front of their fans.
Prediction: Cameroon 2-1 Zimbabwe
The stakes are high, and a victory for either team could set the tone for their AFCON campaigns in Morocco next year. Fans can expect an intense, closely contested match as these two teams vie for Group J’s top honors.
