Zimbabwe held Cameroon to a 0-0 draw in the 2025 AFCON Qualifiers Group J match at the Mandela National Stadium in Uganda on Tuesday evening.
The draw puts Cameroon in second place in their group behind Kenya who secured a 2-1 win over Namibia earlier in the day. With four games to go Cameroon are still well placed to advance to the final tournament next year.
There were some troubling aspects of the draw which Cameroon will be nervous about heading forward. Despite a ball possession of more than 60 per cent, Cameroon failed to get a single shot on target against their opposition. Their lack of ability to make meaningful opportunities could play a large role in how they do in the qualifiers and the main tournament, if they get through.
Cameroon started off with energy but it was Zimbabwe that got the first real chance in the match when Khama Billiat dragged a ball across the goal after he was played through by Munetsi.
Brentford striker Byran Mbeuno had Cameroon’s first chance of the match early on in the 10th minute but his mistimed header went wide after a superb cross from Christian Bassogog. It was a costly miss considering how few chances Cameroon got in the match to get on the board.
Even though both team’s had real opportunities to score, neither team could get a shot off on goal in the first half. That was until Jordan Zemura deflected a shot in the 45th minute which was saved by the Cameroonian keeper Onana
The first real chance of the second half came when Marshall Munetsi blasted a shot from outside in the 50th minute that went just wide. Prince Dube followed up with a couple of good runs but wasn’t able to hit the target.
Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, who hadn’t been called into any serious action thus far, was finally called into action in minute 64. He tipped over a strike from Billiat which seemed destined to break the deadlock.
The later stages of the match were dominated by Cameroon as they looked to push for a winner in the last 15 minutes. There were four changes to the lineup made in the second half by Cameroon. Unfortunately, they couldn’t find the back of the net as Zimbabwe stuck in there, with solid defending.
The silver-lining of the match for Cameroon was that it gave keeper Onana the opportunity to find his form heading into the competition. Onana stopped five shots in total and looked in total control as he anchored his team’s defense.
The game ended in a goalless draw wasn’t the worst outcome for Cameroon but it does put them behind Kenya now in Group J. Zimbabwe now have two draws which gives them third position but they still haven’t managed to score a goal in the qualifiers as of yet.
Cameroon will have a tough matchup next against group leaders Kenya which will take place on October 7th. The match will likely be pivotal in deciding who takes control of the group, with both teams sitting on 4 points through two matches.
Based on past encounters between the two sides, Cameroon have the advantage, winning their last two matches. It should be noted however that the two teams haven’t played since 2016, when Cameroon beat Kenya 1-0 in a friendly.
Lineups:
Cameroon: A. Onana, C. Wooh, M. Ngadeu, T. Nouhou (G. Kilama 68), J. Tchatchoua, C. Baleba, Z Anguissa (P. Kunde 68), M. Hongla (Y. Nemours 68), C. Bassogog (F. Magri 68), B. Mbeumo, V. Aboubakar
Zimbabwe: W. Arubi, G. Murwira, M. Munetsi, k. Billiat, W. Musona (T.Chiwera 86), M. Garananga, A. Rinomhota. G. Takwara, D. Mapfumo (T.Hadebe 90+4), J. Zemura, P. Dube (O.Chirinda 78)
