By Neilley Claude Ebessa
Journalist,kick442.com-Cameroon
For many, Cameroon’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers play-offs is seen as a minor setback—a short mini-tournament with just four nations and two decisive matches. But Angu Lesley Ngwa A, CEO of Kick442.com Africa and a leading voice on African football, sees it differently. For him, this is a golden opportunity for the Indomitable Lions to prepare for AFCON 2025 and build momentum for future glory.
“This mini-tournament will help the team acclimatize for AFCON 2025,” Angu said. “It’s a chance for players to experience tournament football ahead of December, giving them exposure to competitive pressure and helping them prepare both physically and mentally.”
Cameroon will step onto Moroccan soil, a country where they etched their name into history by winning the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations. That triumph in Morocco remains a proud chapter in Cameroonian football history, and the current mini-tournament offers the squad a chance to rekindle that winning spirit. “They will return to AFCON with positive souvenirs about the environment,” Angu added.
Play-Offs as a Catalyst
Beyond acclimatization, the play-offs represent a potential turning point. Success in the qualifiers could inject momentum and confidence into the squad as they chase a record-high appearance in the FIFA World Cup. Coupled with ambitions to claim a sixth Africa Cup of Nations crown, the stakes could not be higher.
“Many see the play-offs as a setback,” Angu observed. “But setbacks can become the foundation for something great, especially for a team with Cameroon’s ambitions. Navigating this mini-tournament successfully could set the tone for a strong AFCON campaign.”
AFCON 2025 Group Stage: Group F Challenges
In AFCON 2025, Cameroon has been drawn into Group F alongside defending champions Ivory Coast, Gabon, and Mozambique. The group-stage schedule is as follows:
- December 24: Cameroon vs. Gabon (7:30 PM GMT)
- December 27: Ivory Coast vs. Cameroon (5:00 PM GMT)
- December 30: Mozambique vs. Cameroon (7:30 PM GMT)
Cameroon faces a tough opening match against Gabon, a team capable of surprising even the strongest sides. Following that, a high-stakes clash with Ivory Coast will test the Lions’ resilience. The group will close against Mozambique, where Cameroon must secure results to guarantee progression.
Drawing inspiration from their 1988 AFCON triumph in Morocco, Cameroon has historical precedent for performing on Moroccan soil. That legacy gives the team a psychological edge and a reminder of the heights they can reach when preparation, ambition, and execution align.
Play-Offs and Group Stage Synergy
Participating in the World Cup play-offs allows Cameroon to simulate tournament conditions similar to AFCON. The competitive environment, short recovery periods, and high-pressure matches mirror the group-stage challenges they will face in December. This makes the play-offs not just a qualifier, but a rehearsal that could sharpen the team’s cohesion, strategy, and confidence.
With a World Cup berth in sight, a sixth AFCON crown within reach, and the psychological advantage of history on their side, Cameroon is turning what some see as a minor play-off into a strategic masterstroke. The Lions have a chance to transform short-term pressure into long-term success, creating a bridge between their rich past and an ambitious future.
As the Indomitable Lions prepare for Morocco’s mini-tournament and AFCON 2025, one thing is clear: setbacks can be the starting point for greatness—and Cameroon is poised to prove it once again.
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