Namibia hoping to cause upset in Garoua

Despite being hit with late withdrawals, Namibia head coach Collin Benjamin has faith that his team will be able to compete with Cameroon at the Roumde Adjia Stadium in Garoua on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 6pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

Liria Prizren duo Erastus Kulula and Romeo Kasume were both called up for this month's 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after featuring for the Brave Warriors against Liberia and Tunisia in June.

However, both players were forced to pull out of Benjamin's squad as they aren't eligible to travel from Kosovo due to VISA restrictions.

Punaije Katjimune and Lawrence Doeseb have been named as their replacements.

Namibia surpassed expectations at Afcon 2023 as they emerged from a tough group containing Tunisia, Mali and South Africa to reach the round of 16.

Benjamin's side went on to lose 3-0 against neighbours Angola, but they are unbeaten in their last three matches, having held the Lone Stars (1-1) and the Eagles of Carthage (0-0) to successive draws in June to remain second in their qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup.

Cameroon head coach Marc Brys has faced all sorts of obstacles since being handed the reins controversially in May, with FECAFOOT unhappy that the sports ministry made the appointment without their consultation.

Brys has already butted heads with FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto'o on numerous occasions, but he's still managed to navigate the turbulent waters.

The Indomitable Lions remain unbeaten in 2026 World Cup qualifying after the Belgian kicked off his tenure with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Cape Verde and a 1-1 draw against Angola in June.

They also made it to the round of 16 in Ivory Coast under Rigobert Song, who was sacked in February after winning just one of his four matches in charge at the tournament.

WHAT WAS SAID

Namibia head coach Collin Benjamin:

"It's a huge blow to the team but we equally believe in all the players and what they bring to the team. Kulula and Kasume had an impressive year with the team thus far.

"They both featured in the World Cup qualifiers in June and did well for first timers at a big stage, they went on to play in the COSAFA Tournament.

"Katjimune and Doeseb are young and eager to play, and this are the kind of players we need."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Cameroon - Bryan Mbeumo missed the continental showpiece due to an ankle injury, but he's already become pivotal to the team since making his debut in September 2022.

The 25-year-old winger is hoping to carry his club form over onto the international stage after hitting the ground running for Brentford in the new Premier League season, scoring three in his first three games.

Namibia - Peter Shalulile is undoubtedly the star in the Brave Warriors team and tops the scoring charts with 16 goals.

The 30-year-old striker didn't manage to get his name on the scoresheet at Afcon 2023, but he was instrumental in Mamelodi Sundowns' title-winning campaign of 2023-24, contributing nine goals and three assists in 21 appearances.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Matches - 2

Cameroon wins - 0

Namibia wins - 1

Draws - 1