A resilient Eswatini side held Cameroon to a goalless draw on Wednesday in Group D action from 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying in Mbombela, South Africa. The Indomitable Lions took the upper hand but failed to break through against the bottom side of the group as they settled for a frustrating draw.
Cameroon coach Marc Brys fielded a star studded side as both Vincent Aboubakar and Frank Magri started together in a two-striker system. In the first interval Brentford attacker Bryan Mbeumo was the most dangerous player as he tested the home side's defense twice in the first half.
Mbeumo saw his curling effort rattle the bar before shooting wide a few minutes later. Aboubakar also missed a golden chance before the half ended.
In the second half, Eswatini coach Zdravko Logarusic stuck with his five-man defense as the away side struggled to get the goal they needed. Mbeumo and Aboubakar continued to be the main threats but they failed to beat Eswatini custodian Mlamuli Makhanya.
Center back Christoper Wooh came the closest to break the deadlock but saw his effort sailing wide. The draw means that Cameroon tops the group with nine points but now an opportunity is opened up for the teams below them including Libya, Cape Verde and Angola. Eswatini hold firm to take home their first point in the qualification but remain last.
Group D Table
GP | Points | |
Cameroon | 5 | 9 |
Libya | 4 | 7 |
Cape Verde | 4 | 7 |
Angola | 4 | 6 |
Mauritius | 4 | 4 |
Eswatini | 5 | 1 |
The group winner qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Four of the nine group runners-up qualify for a playoff to determine Africa's representative at the intercontinental qualifying playoff.
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