World Cup Qualifier:Cameroon drawn in group of death

On Friday, June 25, Cameroon, Algeria and Nigeria – three of the five African qualifiers in the last World Cup – were drawn together in Group B, which is considered the group of death.

The group was completed by Zambia, which is the only country in the group that has never taken part in the World Cup. Of all the teams in this group, the team with the greatest appearances is Cameroon (seven appearances), Nigeria (five) and Algeria (four).

In Group A, Tunisia and the Democratic Republic of Congo appear to be the strongest teams in a group featuring the likes of Guinea and Libya. 

Group C has a distinctly French flavour with Michel Dussuyer coaching the Ivoirians, Alain Giresse in charge of Mali and Herve Renard in charge of Morocco. Gabon competes for the line-up with Portuguese Coach, Jorge Costa.

The situation in Group D seems more predictable. Senegal will be expected to top Group D with Cape Verde, South Africa and Burkina Faso their rivals.

While in Group E, Egypt faces Ghana, who beat them 7-3 in a 2014 World Cup play-off, along with Congo Brazzaville and Uganda.

The Head Coach of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, Hugo Broos, has stated that it will be difficult for all the teams in Group B of the African Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

“This is the group of death and it’s a very tough group, especially with a team like Algeria. You also have Zambia and Nigeria, three very good teams. It will be very difficult for each team in the group,” Broos told cafonline.com

Head To Head

Cameroon Vs Nigeria

Cameroon has played The Super Eagles of Nigeria 20 times. However, the results have favoured Nigeria as they have recorded 10 wins, four defeats, and six draws. In their first meeting in the World Cup qualifiers in 1968, Norbert Owona rescued a point for Cameroon at Surulere Stadium in Lagos.

However, Cameroon lost in Douala 2-3 on December 22, 1968, to Nigeria. Cameroon failed to qualify for the 1970 FIFA World Cup. Only Morocco qualified to represent the African continent.

During the World Cup qualifiers in 1989, Nigeria beat Cameroon at home, 2-0 before bowing 1-0 in Yaounde on August 27, 1989. This time, Cameroon made it for her second World Cup in which they made it to the quarterfinals. Nigeria will host Cameroon on August 28, 2017, on Day 3 of play and the return leg will be played in Cameroon on September 2, 2017.

Cameroon vs. Zambia (Chipolopolo)

The first meeting between the two sides was on October 8, 1969, at the AFCON. Out of 12 meetings between both sides, Cameroon has won six, drawn three and lost three. At the World Cup qualifiers, both sides met twice in 2001.

The first meeting was in Yaounde on February 25, 2001; which saw Cameroon beat the Chipolopolo 1-0. The return leg in Lusaka ended 2-2. Cameroon qualified for their 5^th World Cup in Korea-Japan. Cameroon will host Zambia on November 7, 2016, and then travel to Lusaka for their last group game on November 6, 2017.

Cameroon vs. Algeria (Fennec Foxes)

Cameroon has always had an upper hand over the Fennec Foxes. The first meeting between these two sides was on March 14, 1984, at the AFCON, but this meeting ended in a stalemate. In Cameroon’s seven meetings with Algeria, Cameroon has recorded five wins, one draw and a defeat.

Both sides have never met at the World Cup qualifiers. Out of Cameroon’s five victories against Algeria, two have been after post-match penalty shootouts with both games ending 0-0. However, Algeria’s single victory over Cameroon was the 4-0 humiliation on November 28, 1995, at the Belier Africa Tournament.

Algeria will host Cameroon on October 3, 2016, while the return leg will take place in Cameroon on October 2, 2017, in Yaounde.

Draws

Group A: Tunisia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Libya

Group B: Algeria, Nigeria, Cameroon, Zambia

Group C: Ivory Coast, Mali, Morocco, Gabon

Group D: Senegal, Cape Verde, South Africa, Burkina Faso

Group E: Ghana, Egypt, Congo Brazzaville, Uganda