Cameroon held by minnows Eswatini in World Cup qualifier
Cameroon, bolstered by Premier League duo Andre Onana and Bryan Mbeumo, have been held to a 0-0 draw by minnows Eswatini on Wednesday when matchday 5 World Cup qualifying kicked off in Africa.
The drab Group D impasse did enhance the Indomitable Lions’ lead on the high of the desk to 2 factors, however Cape Verde or Libya may displace them with victories on Thursday.
Manchester United goalkeeper Onana was a digital spectator in South African metropolis Mbombela, the place Eswatini host matches because the tiny kingdom lacks a FIFA-approved stadium.
Brentford ahead Mbeumo was outstanding within the opening half, and his second-half cross led to captain Vincent Aboubakar having a header brilliantly tipped over by Mlamuli Makhanya.
It was the closest Cameroon, ranked 110 locations above Eswatini, got here to ending the impasse as they search a ninth World Cup look on the 2026 finals in the US, Canada and Mexico.
Eswatini remained backside of the six-nation group with only one level, however they did finish a run of 4 losses since qualifying started in November 2023.
Elsewhere, Group H leaders Tunisia stretched their result in 5 factors with a 1-0 away win over Liberia whereas Madagascar hammered the Central African Republic 4-1 to go high of Group I.
Tunisian Hazem Mastouri scored after 4 minutes with a close-range shot that beat goalkeeper Tommy Songo at his close to put up to earn the Carthage Eagles a fourth victory in 5 outings.
Tunisia, searching for to qualify for the worldwide showpiece for a seventh time, have 13 factors. Namibia lie second with eight factors, adopted by Liberia on seven.
Madagascar recovered from falling behind to an early Hugo Gambor aim to crush the Central African Republic in Casablanca, the place Rayan Raveloson scoring twice inside 4 minutes earlier than half-time.
Arnaud Randrianantenaina put the Indian Ocean nation two targets forward early within the second half and Lalaina Rafanomezantsoa netted with one minute of standard time remaining to finish the rout.
Madagascar rose to 10 factors, and the Comoros and four-time World Cup qualifiers Ghana have 9 every in one of the crucial hotly contested of the 9 teams.
Central African Republic are one other nation missing an international-standard stadium, which means the match was held in Morocco.
There are 9 qualifiers scheduled for Thursday when former Manchester United backroom staffer Benni McCarthy debuts as Kenya coach in a Group F conflict in opposition to The Gambia in Abidjan.
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