South Africa take on Cameroon on Sunday in the Africa Cup of Nations.
South Africa v Cameroon match preview
South Africa take on Cameroon in the Round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Two of the biggest names in African football meet for a place in the quarter-finals in what is their first meeting in any competition for nearly a decade.
Bafana Bafana, AFCON champions in 1996 and third-place finishers last time around, progressed to the knockout stages as runners-up in Group B, edging past Angola 2-1 in their opener before a 1-0 defeat by 10-man Egypt was followed by a dramatic 3-2 win over neighbouring Zimbabwe.
Hugo Broos, the South Africa coach who led Cameroon to their last AFCON triumph in Gabon in 2017, is acutely aware of what his team will be up against.
“We must learn to have concentration,” Broos said following the victory over Zimbabwe.
“We can’t play like that against them [Cameroon]. If we do that, we have no chance to win.”
Only Egypt have more AFCON titles to their name than Cameroon. The five-time champions finished second behind holders Ivory Coast in Group F courtesy of having scored just one goal fewer, with their points tallies and goal difference identical.
Cameroon, who will be hoping to go far to go someway to alleviate the pain of failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, opened their campaign with a 1-0 over Gabon before drawing 1-1 with Ivory Coast and fighting back to defeat surprise package Mozambique 2-1.
But head coach David Pagou insisted the occasion “will be a very complicated match.”
South Africa v Cameroon team news
Broos confirmed that Sphephelo Sithole’s omission against Zimbabwe was a tactical decision rather than anything injury-related.
Sipho Mbule returned in that game as Broos opted for a more attacking lineup led by Burnley’s Lyle Foster.
Bryan Mbeumo is yet to find the net at this year’s tournament but the Manchester United forward will still be key to Cameroon’s success.
Both he and Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba were withdrawn at half-time against Mozambique but this is thought to have been to avoid suspension for the knockout phase.
Defender and captain Nouhou Tolo remains a concern after being forced off with a hamstring injury and replaced by Christopher Wooh.
South Africa v Cameroon predicted line-ups
South Africa: Williams; Mudau, Modiba, Mbokazi, Ngezana; Mokoena, Aubaas, Mbule; Mofokeng, Appollis, Foster
Cameroon: Epassy; Tolo, Kotto, Malone; Yongwa, Baleba, Namaso, Tchamadeu, Ebong; Mbeumo, Kofane
How to watch South Africa v Cameroon: TV channel, live online stream
Kick-off on Sunday is at 19:00 UK time. In the UK, live AFCON 2025 coverage is on Channel 4’s 4seven, All 4 and YouTube channel. In the USA, beIN Sports is the tournament broadcaster.
Online live streaming is available on a vast range of devices through Channel 4’s website and app and the beIN Sports app.
South Africa v Cameroon stats
- Five of the nine previous games between these two teams have ended in draws, with Cameroon’s only win over South Africa to date coming in a friendly back in 1992.
- The last three meetings between the teams have all ended in draws, including a friendly on 10 January 2015 and both matches in 2017 AFCON qualification.
- Victory in open play would secure successive AFCON wins for South Africa the first time since 2000
- South Africa are playing in their third AFCON Round of 16 tie, and are yet to concede a goal at that stage of the competition.
- Cameroon are appearing in the AFCON knockout rounds for the 17th time.
- Cameroon are yet to keep a clean sheet in a Round of 16 match.
South Africa v Cameroon prediction
South Africa
0
–
1
Cameroon
This will be a tough one to call. Both sides have been far from their best so far at this year’s AFCON, but should Cameroon’s Premier League stars bring their A-game, the Indomitable Lions should have just enough quality to progress.
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