Cameroon have suffered significant injury setbacks ahead of Thursday’s World Cup playoff against the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the possibility of further complications looming.
Veteran striker, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and midfield star Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa have both been ruled out of the crucial match in Rabat, where the Indomitable Lions aim to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
Goalkeeper Andre Onana is also uncertain for the game, having sustained an ankle injury, according to officials from the Cameroon Football Federation.
Choupo-Moting is sidelined with a knee sprain, while Zambo Anguissa, who turns 30 on Sunday and has netted four goals for Napoli in Serie A this season, missed Tuesday’s training due to a hamstring problem.
Cameroon is competing in a playoff tournament featuring the four best runners-up from the nine African World Cup qualifying groups, which wrapped up last month.
The mini-tournament offers the chance for a 10th African team to qualify for next year’s expanded 48-team World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
A victory against DR Congo would see Cameroon advance to Sunday’s final in Rabat, where they would face either Gabon or Nigeria.
The winner will move on to the intercontinental playoff in March for a chance to secure a spot at the World Cup.
The Indomitable Lions, Africa’s most experienced World Cup participants, have appeared in eight previous tournaments, more than any other nation from the continent.
