Qatar World Cup 2022 CAF Qualifiers: Cameroon vs Algeria Preview as Cameroon and Algeria will face each other in play-offs for the World Cup
Cameroon and Algeria will face each other on the 25th and 29th of March in a two-legged play-off for one of five places reserved for Africa in the World Cup in Qatar this 2022.
This means two previous AFCON champions (Cameroon-2017, Algeria 2019) before Senegal will have to go head-to-head again for the first time since 2017 when they faced each other during the FIFA world cup 2018 qualifiers.
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Former defending AFCON champions, Algeria had a disastrous AFCON 2021 campaign as they found themselves eliminated in the group stages with just 1 point.
Cameroon who hosted the just ended AFCON 2021 came third after being knocked out by the Pharaohs of Egypt in the Semi finals on penalties.
Despite Algeria’s poor AFCON 2021 display, their FA president has high hopes Algeria will go through against Cameroon.
“When you play the second game in Algeria is a good advantage for us but every team wants to guarantee his chances to qualify in from the first game, and you should win the two games to secure the qualification”, said Charaf-Eddine Amara, Algeria’s FA president.
“My opinion is it’s a very interesting draw. I think you saw Senegal and Egypt, you saw Ghana versus Nigeria. For me, it’s a very interesting draw because we really want to be the best in the world, but we must have the best team to represent us”, he said.
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Cameroon vs Algeria Head-to-Head Stats
Although Cameroon vs Algeria is hardly encountered, they have faced each other 6 times starting from 1984 which they faced off each other in the Africa Cup of Nations.
The two nations have faced off 9 times with Cameroon wining 6 times, a draw and a lose. Their last last encounter was in 2017 when Cameroon hit 2 pass Algeria ion the 2018 World cup qualifiers thanks to goals from Clinton N’Jie and Frantz Pangop.
06 Feb 2000 | Cameroon v Algeria | W | 2-1 | Africa Cup of Nations |
25 Jan 2004 | Algeria v Cameroon | D | 1-1 | Africa Cup of Nations |
09 Oct 2016 | Algeria v Cameroon | D | 1-1 | FIFA World Cup |
07 Oct 2017 | Cameroon v Algeria | W | 2-0 | FIFA World Cup |
Although Cameroon has been dominating Algeria in history, it will be no surprise if Algeria could pull things right this time around. Algeria has got all sorts of quality players it takes to win a game. And Despite their poor Afcon campaign, they remain a giant to fear.
Players Called Up
Cameroon head coach Rigobert Song who replaced their AFCON coach Antonio Conceicao few weeks ago has already named his final 27 man squad ahead of their clash vs Algeria.
AFCON wonder striker and highest goal scorer Vincent Aboubakar will be leading the Cameroon front line once again after just few weeks off the Afcon.
Most glaring is the coming of two new faces; 18-year Patient Wassou Goue of Coton Sport of Garoua and 26-year old German based player Gael Ondoa. who plays with Hannover 96.
Goalkeepers: Omossola Simon, Epassy Davis, Andre Onana
Defenders: Fai Collins, Ngadeu Michael, Castelleto JC, Oyongo Bitolo, Jerome Onguene, Nohou Tolo, Moukoudi Harold, Tchamba Duplexe
Midfielders: Onana Jean Junior, Kunde Malong, Zambo Anguissa, Oum Gouet Samuel, Hongla Martin, Jeando Fuchs, Gael Ondoa, Ntcham Olivier
Forwards: Ganago Ignatiu, Choupo Moting, Karl Toko Ekambi, Moumi Ngamaleu, Aboubakar Vincent, Soni Kevin, Leandre Tawamba, Wassu Patient
The Algeria football federation is still yet to release a list of their players called up.
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