World cup qualifiers: Brys says confident Lions to beat Eswatini today.

The Belgian trainer made the declaration yesterday during a pre-match press conference ahead of the clash with the Southern African nation at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde. 

The game which is scheduled for 8p.m. counts for the seventh round of matches in the ongoing African zonal qualifiers to the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament.

Cameroon currently sits second in Group D of the campaign after registering 12points in its six opening matches of the 10-game series. The side counts a point fewer than group leaders, Cabo Verde.

Speaking during yesterday’s presser, Brys admitted that the King’s Shields of Eswatini will not be an easy nut to crack for Cameroon. 

The trainer, however, insisted that he confident that the Indomitable Lions have all it requires to break the team’s defense-oriented game plan. 

“We have a lot of respect for the opponents. But we have trained properly and made all the crucial adjustments for the challenge. I am the head coach of a team that is very talented. We have a good group of players who play for some of the biggest clubs in the world,” Brys said.

The Belgian trainer said he is unbothered by the shocking goalless draw that the Eswatini forced Cameroon to settle for in March this year. Brys said the disappointing result was simply a result of the logistic challenges that team Cameroon faced in the leadup to the fixture in South Africa. 

“The last time we faced the them, the match came after we had had a long flight, delays at the airport and a road trip of several hours. I think we are better prepared for this one,” the tactician stated. 

Brys vows not to make any compromises

Despite speaking at length about Cameroon’s overall superiority against Eswatini, Brys stated that he will not make any comprises in the selection of players for the fixture.

The trainer said he and other staff around Lions team had discussed on the possibility of benching some crucial players to preserve them for the Cabo Verde game which will be more challenging for the Indomitable Lions.

He said they had notably touched cases like those of midfielder Carlos Baleba who have accumulated cards and may get suspended for the Cabo Verde game if he gets booked against the King’s Shield this evening. 

Brys, however, revealed that he had settled on fielding his best possible players against Eswatini without making any compromises despite the risks involved.

“We have all the respect for every opponent. We don’t understate any team. Cabo Verde will be a bigger opponent as we fight for the first position. It is a challenge and I think in football it is the challenge that makes you bigger. But before that challenge, we will start with Eswatini first. I want to field the strongest team possible,” he said. 

Zambo Anguissa says players focused on winning 

Speaking during yesterday’s presser, midfielder, Zambo Anguissa, made declarations similar to those of head coach Marc Brys. The double Serie A league title winner said the players are completely focused on getting all three points from the Eswatini game.

“The group is positive and enthusiastic and happy to play at home. We want to record a beautiful victory for the Cameroonian people who deserve it fully,” Zambo stated.

He said the team is also looking to benefit from the return of former team captain Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting who is back to the Lions den after spending over a year away from the team.

“I think Choupo-Moting has the experience. We all know him as someone who is very positive coming back to a team that he also knows very well. He is a fantastic person and a crucial player for us,” the midfielder stated. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3554 of Thursday September 04, 2025