Cameroon seized early control of their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign on Thursday night, dismantling Eswatini with a ruthless first-half display that ended 3-0 in Yaounde.
The Indomitable Lions needed just six minutes to break the deadlock, albeit through a stroke of fortune as an Eswatini own goal gifted Rigobert Song’s side the initiative. From there, the hosts never looked back.
Winger Georges-Kévin Nkoudou doubled the advantage in the 25th minute, capping off sustained pressure with a neat finish that underlined Cameroon’s dominance.
Barely three minutes later, midfielder Arthur Ebong drove home a third, completing a devastating spell that left the visitors chasing shadows.
With the contest effectively settled by the interval, Cameroon shifted gears in the second half, managing the tempo of the match while hunting for a fourth.
Though chances went begging, the Indomitable Lions authority remained unchallenged, and the outcome was never in doubt.
Head coach Rigobert Song praised his side’s focus but cautioned against complacency.
“It was a professional performance and I’m pleased with the way we controlled the game,” he said.
“But this is only one step. To reach the World Cup, consistency will be key.”
Nkoudou, who grabbed the second goal, insisted the team’s confidence is growing.
“We wanted to set the tone early, and once the first goal came, we knew we could dominate,” he said.
“This gives us momentum, but we must keep pushing in every match.”
For a side chasing a ninth World Cup appearance, this was as emphatic a start as they could have hoped for as they were efficient, clinical and brimming with authority.
By: Pascal Amoah
