Cameroon Sweat On Key Duo Ahead of Bafana Bafana clash
Cameroon are sweating on the availability of defender Nouhou and Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations round-of-16 clash against Bafana Bafana.
Both players picked up injuries during Cameroon’s final Group F match against Mozambique on Wednesday. Nouhou, who plays for MLS side Seattle Sounders, was forced off in the 42nd minute and replaced by Christopher Wooh.
Mbeumo, meanwhile, was substituted shortly after the start of the second half, with Christian Bassogog coming on in his place. The 26-year-old, who joined Manchester United from Brentford during the off-season, has been a key figure for Cameroon after they opened their group campaign with a win.
He provided the assist for the winning goal against Gabon, although the Indomitable Lions eventually finished second in Group F behind defending champions Ivory Coast.
Nouhou, the team captain, has also been impressive at the tournament, having previously completed all 90 minutes in the group-stage matches before his injury setback.
Coach David Pagou will be hoping to have both players fit in time for the showdown with Bafana Bafana at Al Barid Stadium in Rabat on Sunday.
However, history suggests South Africa need not fear Cameroon. Bafana Bafana have never lost to the Central African side in Africa Cup of Nations matches or qualifiers.
The two teams first met at the AFCON finals in the opening Group A match of the 1996 tournament at FNB Stadium. The late Phil Masinga was the star on the day, scoring in the 14th minute with a right-footed strike from a Mark Fish pass.
Another Mark featured in the second goal, as Mark Williams scored with a left-footed effort after being set up by Masinga. The late John “Shoes” Moshoeu sealed a famous 3-0 victory in the 55th minute, finishing off a superb pass from Doctor Khumalo.
Bafana Bafana also recorded positive results in friendly matches against Cameroon in 2008 and 2015, registering one win and one draw.
One of the most memorable encounters between the sides came during the 2017 AFCON qualifiers in Limbe in 2016. It was a match forever etched in the history of Hlompho Kekana. Tokelo Rantie gave South Africa the lead in the 17th minute, but Sebastian Siani equalised just before half-time.
The home crowd erupted when Nicolas N’Koulou put Cameroon ahead, the same player who later scored in the 2017 AFCON final against Egypt.
With South Africa pushing for an equaliser, a moment of magic followed. Kekana, spotting the goalkeeper off his line from inside the centre circle, unleashed a spectacular long-range strike five minutes into the second half to secure a memorable 2-2 draw.
The return leg was played at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, but it ended in a disappointing goalless draw.
That remains the last meeting between the two sides, and Bafana Bafana will take encouragement from the fact that they have never lost to Cameroon.
