Camer360

Yaoundé, September 3, 2025 — The Indomitable Lions will face the King’s Shield of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) in a crucial World Cup 2026 qualifier at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé, not in Douala as initially planned.

On August 9, the Eswatini Football Association announced that the match would take place at Japoma Stadium in Douala. However, FIFA later confirmed that the fixture would instead be held on September 4 in Yaoundé, disappointing the Eswatini community in Douala.

The visiting delegation arrived Tuesday in Cameroon’s capital after a farewell ceremony at the federation’s technical center in Lobamba. Head coach Zdravko Logarusic unveiled a squad of 22 players, largely composed of those who held Cameroon to a goalless draw in the first leg played in South Africa last March.

Speaking ahead of the game, Logarusic expressed confidence: “We have already shown the world that we can compete effectively against Africa’s strongest teams.”

Meanwhile, the Eswatini Football Association successfully held its elective general assembly, with Peter Simelane re-elected as president. The national team, previously known as Swaziland, has reached the semi-finals of the COSAFA Cup on four occasions.

On the Cameroonian side, the Indomitable Lions held their first training session Tuesday at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium. Twenty-two players took part in the morning drills, with Michael Ngadeu and Nicolas Brice Moumi Ngamaleu joining the squad at lunchtime. Later in the day, the group expanded to 24 with the arrivals of Nouhou Tolo and Martin Beautrel Atemengue Ndzie.

The full roster will be completed with the arrivals of Christopher Wooh and Yvan Neyou on Wednesday, ahead of a busy pre-match schedule that includes a technical meeting at 11 a.m., a press conference at 4:30 p.m., and the final training session at 6 p.m. on the Yaoundé pitch.

Cameroon, currently second in Group D, is chasing a key victory to strengthen its World Cup qualification hopes.