Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana kept a fourth clean sheet for Cameroon in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying on Wednesday as Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast finished last.
Cameroon, which was without several stars including Brentford forward Brian Mbeumo and Napoli midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, drew 0-0 with Namibia in Group J in Soweto, near Johannesburg.
Mbumo was ruled out due to a foot problem, while Zambo Anguissa missed matchday five due to undisclosed “family reasons”.
Namibia, already eliminated, had 15 goal attempts but only one on target against Onana, who have conceded only once in five qualifiers.
Cameroon, who defeated Kenya twice last month to book a place in the 2025 finals in Morocco, have 11 points with a home match against Zimbabwe on Tuesday.
By holding Cameroon, Namibia picked up their first points in a disappointing campaign and reached the last 16 at the AFCON for the first time this year in Ivory Coast.
Zimbabwe play Kenya on Friday and a draw will ensure they finish at least second and join Cameroon in the 24-team tournament.
Kenya's victory would take them to within one point of Zimbabwe, and keep alive hopes of a first AFCON appearance since 2019.
Equatorial Guinea and defending champions Ivory Coast secured spots without playing, increasing the list of qualifiers to nine. Morocco, as host, is an automatic participant.
–Liberia wins –
Before Match Day 5 began on Wednesday, Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt and Senegal had booked places.
The Equatoguineans were assured of a top-two finish in Group E after rivals Togo lost 1-0 at home to Liberia, with Mohamed Sangare converting an 83rd-minute penalty for the home side.
Liberia may finish level on seven points with Equatorial Guinea, but will miss out on head-to-head regulation having been defeated twice by the Central Africans.
Equatorial Guinea thrashed hosts Ivory Coast 4-0 at the 2024 AFCON and were eliminated in the round of 16, and are now hoping for a third consecutive appearance at the tournament.
A 1-1 draw between Chad and Sierra Leone in Abidjan means Ivory Coast are certain to advance from Group G of the qualifiers.
Zambia can take second place if they beat Ivory Coast in Ndola on Friday, but a draw or defeat will keep Sierra Leone in the competition.
Abou Dambuya put Sierra Leone ahead after 29 minutes and Mahamat Thiam equalized the score with a penalty five minutes later. It was the first goal scored by Chad in five group matches.
Civil war-ravaged Sudan will qualify at the expense of four-time champions Ghana on Thursday if they avoid defeat against Niger.
(tagstotranslate)Cote d'Ivoire
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