It's CAF African FIFA World Cup Qualifiers playoff action on Thursday, November 13th, and the stakes could not be higher as Cameroon and Congo DR go head-to-head at Al-Barid Stadium in the semi-final of the World Cup qualifiers' four-team playoff, with a place in the final playoff round on the line.
📈Team Form📉
🔹 Cameroon: The Indomitable Lions concluded their group campaign on 19 points (W5, D4, L1), finishing as one of the top four second-placed nations.
🔸 Congo DR: The Leopards ended their qualifying series with 22 points (W7, D1, L2), finishing two points behind the group leaders.
📊Key Stats & Head-to-Head 📊
🔥 This is the first encounter between the countries since January 2021, when Cameroon won 2-1.
🔥 Congo DR have failed to beat Cameroon in nine previous encounters across all fixtures (L6).
🔥 Cameroon haven't lost any of their last 15 home matches in all competitions.
🔥 DR Congo haven't lost a match in 7 of their last 8 matches in WC Qualification Africa
🔬 What to Expect From Both Teams 🔥
🇨🇲Cameroon | Form: D🟡W🟢W🟢L🔴W🟢D🟡:
The eight-time World Cup participants must navigate a long road after an inconsistent group stage. Coach Marc Brys has bolstered his squad with recalled experienced players, and the team will rely on their strong recent away form.
🇨🇩Congo DR | Form: W🟢W🟢W🟢L🔴W🟢W🟢:
The Leopards secured their playoff spot despite squandering a final-round lead that cost them direct qualification. They face the daunting task of overcoming historical woes against Cameroon while missing several key players.
👥 Predicted Lineups 👥
🇨🇲Cameroon (possible):
A Onana, Tchatchoua, Castelletto, Nouhou, Nagida, Avom, Baleba, Anguissa, Nkoudou, Eyong, Mbeumo.
🇨🇩Congo DR (possible):
Mpasi, Masuaku, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Wan-Bissaka, Mbuku, Moutoussamy, Mukau, Kayembe, Essende, Bakambu.
🔥 Matchups & Players to Watch 👀
✨ Andre Onana — Regaining form with Trabzonspor, he's expected to start in goal for Cameroon.
✨ Cedric Bakambu — Congo's top qualifier scorer with four goals, now two shy of the national record.
✨ Bryan Mbuemo — would lead Cameroon's attack alongside Etta Eyong or veterans Choupo-Moting and Aboubakar.
✨ Aaron Wan-Bissaka — Part of Congo DR's likely Premier League-strength back four.
💵 Odds Market on MSport 💵
💵 Cameroon/Home to win = 2.43
💵 Congo DR/Away to win = 3.46
💵 Draw = 2.86
💵 Both teams to score (GG/NG Yes) = 2.34
💵 Over 1.5 total goals = 1.64
This playoff semi-final presents a clash of histories: Cameroon leans on a dominant record, while Congo DR draws confidence from their competitive World Cup qualifying history against the Lions.
With a spot in the Intercontinental Playoffs at stake, the stage is set for a tense battle at Al-Barid Stadium.
Who do you think will advance to the final? Tell us your prediction in the comments.
🔗 You can follow the Cameroon vs Congo DR game here on MSport.
#Cameroon #CongoDR #FIFAWorldCup #CAF #WCQ #IndomitableLions #TheLeopards
