Cameroon were left frustrated as they played out a shocking 0-0 draw against Eswatini in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.
Despite their overwhelming dominance and a series of missed opportunities, the Indomitable Lions failed to break down a determined Eswatini side, ranked 159th in the world—110 places below them.
Mbeumo and Aboubakar Denied as Cameroon Struggle in Attack
Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo came closest to scoring for Cameroon in the first half, rattling the woodwork with a curling effort from distance. Meanwhile, Cameroon captain Vincent Aboubakar saw his header tipped over the crossbar by Eswatini goalkeeper Mlamuli Makhanya in the second half.
Andre Onana, largely untested in goal for Cameroon, nearly scored an extraordinary winner when his long clearance bounced just over the Eswatini bar late in the game.
Despite relentless pressure, Marc Brys’ side failed to find a breakthrough, allowing Eswatini to claim their first point of the qualification campaign.
Cameroon Remain Unbeaten but Face Growing Pressure
While Cameroon remain unbeaten after five games, the dropped points could prove costly in their bid for automatic qualification. The Indomitable Lions could be overtaken as Group D leaders before they host Libya next Tuesday.
With only the group winners guaranteed a spot at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, Cameroon’s failure to win against a lowly-ranked opponent adds pressure ahead of their remaining fixtures.
Elsewhere in African Qualifiers
- Tunisia extended their unbeaten run with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Liberia, moving five points clear at the top of Group H.
- Madagascar climbed to the top of Group I with an emphatic 4-1 comeback victory against the Central African Republic (CAR) in Corentin Martin’s first match in charge.
- Comoros will have the chance to reclaim the Group I lead when they face Mali on Thursday at 21:00 GMT.
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The qualifiers resumed after a nine-month break, with the final six rounds of group matches spread across March, September, and October.
Cameroon, who hold the record for the most World Cup appearances by an African team (eight), now have a tougher path ahead. Their inability to secure all three points against Eswatini has left their qualification hopes hanging in the balance.
