World Cup (Q): Angola hold Cameroon to goalless draw in Yaounde

Angola frustrated Cameroon to a barren draw on Monday in Group D from 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying in the CAF region.

The game in Yaoundé ended the Indomitable Lions’ pursuit of automatic qualification for the finals, but they still await their chances to progress through a potential playoff spot.

The hosts dominated the early exchanges, but only half chances were created by the home side. The Palancas Negras opted for more defensive tactics with quick breaks at the opposite end. The first half saw the home side manage only two good chances. Nouhou and Jean-Charles Castelletto both got on the end of set pieces but failed to score. The visitors almost had the opener with a free-kick effort from Maestro that rattled the bar.

The home side came out in all-out attack mode to find goals in the second half. Mbeumo tested Palancas Negras goalkeeper Nuno Marques minutes after the restart. Nonetheless, the visitors came closest yet again to breaking the deadlock through Maestro and Zito Luvumbo. Second-half substitute Vincent Aboubakar almost won it for the hosts at the death, but Marques pulled off a superb save.

The Indomitable Lions now find themselves in a tight situation to reach the playoffs next month as one of the best second-placed sides. Their chance now hangs in the balance after collecting 19 points to sit second. Angola end their campaign with 12 points, finishing fourth.

2026 World Cup: Final Group D Table

1. Cape Verde- 23 points
2. Cameroon- 19 points
3. Libya- 16 points
4. Angola- 12 points
5. Mauritius- 6 points
6. Eswatini- 3 points

Table of Group Runners-up (Top 4 advance to playoff)

1. Gabon- 16 points (1 game in hand)
2. Cameroon- 15 points (GD: +9)
3. Burkina Faso- 15 points (GD: +6)
4. Niger- 15 points (GD: +1)
5. DR Congo- 13 points (GD: +4) [1 game in hand]
6. Madagascar- 13 points (eliminated)
7. Uganda- 12 points (GD: +3) [1 game in hand]
8. South Africa- 11 points (GD: +1) [1 game in hand]
9. Namibia- 9 points (eliminated)