World Cup Qualifiers: Eswatini stun Cameroon with nil-all draw

Cameroon, bolstered by Premier League duo Andre Onana and Bryan Mbeumo, were held to a 0-0 draw by minnows Eswatini on Wednesday when matchday five World Cup qualifying kicked off in Africa.

The drab Group D deadlock did increase the Indomitable Lions’ lead at the top of the table to two points, but Cape Verde or Libya could displace them with victories on Thursday.

Manchester United goalkeeper Onana was a virtual spectator in South African city Mbombela, where Eswatini host matches as the tiny kingdom lacks a Fifa-approved stadium.

Brentford forward Mbeumo was prominent in the opening half, and his second-half cross led to captain Vincent Aboubakar having a header brilliantly tipped over by Mlamuli Makhanya.

It was the closest Cameroon, ranked 110 places above Eswatini, came to ending the deadlock as they seek a ninth World Cup appearance at the 2026 finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Eswatini remained bottom of the six-nation group with just one point, but they did end a run of four losses since qualifying began in November 2023.