BETTING GUIDE;Cameroon Vs DR Congo, match preview, team news and betting guide

Cameroon and DR Congo are set for a tense, high-stakes encounter at the Al-Barid Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, on Thursday evening in the semi-finals of the CAF playoff stage for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.

With both teams just two wins away from reaching the intercontinental playoffs, this clash promises to be fiercely contested between two African heavyweights with rich footballing histories and plenty to prove.

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Cameroon, the most decorated African side in World Cup history with eight appearances, must now navigate the long and unpredictable playoff route after an inconsistent qualifying campaign.

Marc Brys’s side relinquished control of Group D to Cape Verde following a sequence of missed chances and frustrating draws that saw them finish second with 19 points (W5, D4, L1) - four behind the group leaders.

A goalless stalemate with Angola in their final group fixture confirmed their playoff berth, but their performances on the road this year have been encouraging.

The Indomitable Lions have won four of their last five away matches in 2025, a record that will give them confidence as they prepare for this neutral-venue clash in Morocco.

Cameroon’s campaign highlighted both their strengths and weaknesses.

Defensively, they have been one of the most organized sides in Africa, conceding just six goals across ten qualifiers, while offensively, they have often struggled for ruthlessness in the final third.

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That lack of a consistent finisher proved costly in games where they dominated possession but failed to convert.

Still, with the quality at their disposal - including Bryan Mbeumo, André Onana, and Yvan Neyou - Brys’s men have the pedigree and balance to overcome any African opponent when firing on all cylinders.

Their opponents, DR Congo, arrive in Rabat as one of the continent’s most improved sides under French coach Sébastien Desabre.

The Leopards narrowly missed out on automatic qualification after losing 3-2 to Senegal despite leading by two goals.

That setback forced them into the playoff route, but they closed the group stage positively, securing a vital 1-0 win over Sudan to finish with 22 points (W7, D1, L2), just two behind Senegal.

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Desabre’s side have built their success on discipline, defensive resilience, and quick transitional play.

The Leopards have won seven of their last eight matches in all competitions, underlining their consistency and strong mentality.

They have also shown composure in tight games, conceding fewer than one goal per match on average across 2025 - an impressive statistic at this level.

Historically, Cameroon hold the upper hand in this fixture.

The Indomitable Lions are unbeaten in their last nine meetings with DR Congo (W6, D3), including a 2-1 win in their most recent clash during the 2021 African Nations Championship quarter-final.

However, DR Congo have proven to be competitive in World Cup qualification meetings, with both nations winning four apiece across their nine encounters.

The stakes could not be higher.

The winner of this tie will face either Nigeria or Gabon in the playoff final on November 16, with the victor earning a ticket to the intercontinental playoffs next March - the final stop before the expanded 48-team World Cup in 2026.

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Marc Brys has named a 27-man Cameroon squad stacked with experience and emerging talent.

The return of midfielders Jean Onana and Yvan Neyou strengthens the core, while defenders Darlin Yongwa and Enzo Boyomo add depth to the backline.

Goalkeeper André Onana remains the undisputed first choice after rediscovering his form at Trabzonspor, and he will start between the posts.

In attack, Brys faces a selection dilemma.

Veteran striker Vincent Aboubakar could be recalled to lead the line, though Karl Etta Eyong and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting are also in contention.

On the flanks, Bryan Mbeumo is expected to retain his place, with Georges-Kévin Nkoudou or Moumi Ngamaleu offering width and pace.

In midfield, the combination of André-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Carlos Baleba will be crucial in dictating the tempo and controlling transitions.

Anguissa’s composure and Baleba’s athleticism provide balance in the 4-3-3 system that Brys has favored, allowing Cameroon to dominate possession while maintaining defensive cover.

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For DR Congo, Sébastien Desabre faces some injury headaches.

Star forward Yoane Wissa is ruled out with a knee injury sustained in September, depriving the Leopards of one of their key attacking outlets.

However, captain Chancel Mbemba and striker Cédric Bakambu remain available and are expected to play pivotal roles.

Bakambu, who finished as the team’s top scorer in qualifying with four goals, is just two shy of equalling Dieumerci Mbokani’s all-time record and will be the main attacking threat.

The Congolese defense will feature Arthur Masuaku, Axel Tuanzebe, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Chancel Mbemba, forming a compact yet dynamic backline.

Lionel Mpasi is set to start in goal, while Samuel Moutoussamy, Edo Kayembe, and Mukau will anchor the midfield.

This playoff promises to be a tactical chess match between two sides that blend structure with individual brilliance.

Cameroon are expected to dominate possession and play on the front foot, while DR Congo will rely on compact defending and quick counterattacks through Bakambu and Elia.

Cameroon’s biggest advantage lies in their control of midfield and the creativity of Mbeumo, Baleba and Anguissa.

If they can stretch the DR Congo defense and find spaces between lines, they will likely create numerous scoring opportunities. However, they must improve their finishing - a problem that cost them top spot in their group.

DR Congo’s strengths are rooted in organization and transition play.

Desabre’s men have conceded just 0.9 goals per game this year, showing their ability to stay compact under pressure.

Yet, the absence of Wissa could limit their attacking fluidity. Their best chances may come from set pieces or moments of individual brilliance from Bakambu.

Key Pointers

Cameroon are unbeaten in their last nine meetings with DR Congo (W6, D3).

Both sides boast strong defensive records, with Cameroon conceding just 0.3 xGA per match on average in qualifiers.

DR Congo have kept three clean sheets in their last six competitive games.

Four of Cameroon’s last five matches have seen under 2.5 total goals.

DR Congo’s matches throughout 2025 have averaged just 1.8 goals per game.

Given both sides’ defensive solidity and the high stakes involved, a low-scoring contest appears likely.

Cameroon’s experience, superior squad depth, and leadership across the pitch could give them the edge, but DR Congo’s resilience means this may be decided by fine margins - possibly even after extra time.

With their pedigree, organization, and composure in big moments, the Indomitable Lions should narrowly prevail to reach the playoff final - but expect a cagey, tactical battle rather than a goal-fest in Rabat.

Prediction: Cameroon to Win

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