When was the match of Eswatini vs Cameroon?

With a shift of focus onto the World Cup Qualifiers, things were starting to crack up as Eswatini went on head to head to battle it out with Cameroon on 19th March 2025 at Mbombela Stadium.

While Cameroon came into the match with a very aggressive squad, they showed patience in the first 10 minutes to stretch open the Eswatini defense. On the other hand, Eswatini seemed balanced with no rush to press Cameroon.

In the 14th minute, things started to crack up as Mbeumo made a stunning shot that rattled the Eswatini crossbar and went out. In the 21st minute, the Brentford man had another attempt again after making a nutmeg in Eswatini’s box. However, the shot went wide.

At the 30th-minute mark, Cameroon shifted the gear and started approaching the game more aggressively upfront. The idea initially seemed to be getting a lead before the end of the first half. The game was halted in the 31st minute due to an injury taken by an Eswatini player. The 42nd minute saw an inspirational run from the Cameroon captain. Aboubakar cut in and rolled his foot inside to make a stunning shot, but the shot went just a little wide.

After the end of the first half, two additional minutes were added. However, nothing changed in the score and it stood 0-0.

The game went smoothly in the 2nd half. In the 55th minute, a rumble in Eswatini’s box almost saw a sitter awarded to Aboubakar. But the ball was cleared right as he was trying to have a go. It was all Cameroon in the second half as they were relentless in their attacks. However, there was no end product till the 70th minute of the game.

While mistakes can happen, the linesman penalized Eswatini for offside which was very much clear that the Eswatini player was onside and in a decent position to score. The 74th minute saw Aboubakar make a stunning head but it was saved by Makjanya.

After the 90th minute, four additional minutes were added. However, nothing separated the two teams after the full-time whistle with the score being 0-0.

Here are the Eswatini vs Cameroon Player Ratings.

Eswatini Player Ratings

Eswatini National Team (Image Source: Official X of LokuhleFM)

GK-Makjanya-5/10

Saved his team from an early goal deficit. While the goalkeeper didn’t look sharp reading the runs of Cameroon forwards in the evening, he sure had his way with positioning. He made a couple of saves in the first half to keep the Cameroon team at bay. He denied Cameroon a couple of times in the second half as well.

LB-Thwala-5/10

Had the most difficult job for his team. He was rewarded with the duty to mark Mbeumo and stick around with the Brentford man while carrying out his other defensive duties. So far till the first half whistle, he did the job well.

CB-Dlamini-4.5/10

Been a solid presence in the defense line during the first half. Since they were holding a low block defense, he played his role perfectly and made sure to clear any luring danger around the box. Shredded off the pace of the Baleba shot that seemed to be heading in the goal’s direction.

CB-Mabelesa-5/10

If there are a few reasons why Cameroon could not break the deadlock in the first half even after coming in with an aggressive team, it is the solid partnership and chemistry between Dlamini and Mabelesa. Made a crucial block in the second half to deny Cameroon a goal.

RB-Mkhonta-4/10

Had a good command of the game. He linked up with his teammates well and was vocal throughout the match. Had a thunderous attempt in the first half but the shot had no direction.

CM-Dlamini-4.5/10

Even though he had his hands full with defensive duties, he was quick to start counterattacks any time he got the chance. Looked sharp in the first half. Even though he was involved with defensive duties today, he did not shy away from going forward.

CM-Mkhontfo-4.5/10

Did not allow Cameroon to be comfortable in the midfield even though they were holding a high defense line. Played the perfect midfield partner of Mkhonto. Made sure of a solid guard when Cameroon was all players forward trying to break the Eswatini defense.

CM-Mkhonto-5/10

Had a solid partnership with Mkhontfo in the first half. Was given the green light to go forward in the first half. He was equally impressive in the second half with his defensive duties.

RW-Figuareido-4/10

Rather been the silent winger in the first half. Wanted to have more of the ball but as Eswatini was holding a low block, it wasn’t happening at all. He was subbed off in the 89th minute as he seemed visibly exhausted.

ST-Mamba-5/10

Was disappointed with the low deliveries. One time he even seemed frustrated as his teammate took way too long to release a ball which would have been a great opportunity to score. Took a heavy blow in the 90th minute. Thankfully, he recovered.

LW-Sikhondze-4/10

Sustained an injury in the first half as he was trying to win an aerial ball. Seemed to be alright after getting the medical attention. He has been left alone in the front line today by his teammates with no deliveries and no build-up. He was subbed off in the 87th minute.

Sub-Langa-4/10

Came into the 87th minute. It was a defensive change as the manager wanted to deal with the Cameroon attack that originated from the fresh players arriving from substitutions.

Sub-Badenhorst-4/10

Came in the 89th minute to replace Figuareido. He was introduced to make the runs during the counterattacks. Saw the game off and made sure his team did not concede a goal.

Manager-Logarusic-5/10

Was the happier manager between the two as he wanted his team to get the much-needed 1 point. Made the necessary subs to see the game off.

Cameroon Player Ratings

Cameroon National Team (Image Source: Official X of Steve_Labile)

GK-Onana-5.5/10

Had very little to do in the first half. In the additional minutes when Cameroon was awarded a free kick, the goalkeeper came all the way from his box to the opponent’s box. It almost seemed as if he would have a crack at it.

LB-Tolo-4.5/10

Been the busiest player for his team. But that was all with his offensive duties. He was barely seen having to defend for his team, especially after his team transitioned into a 3-man defense. Throughout the 90 minutes, he was seen attacking with the ball.

CB-Wooh-4/10

Got himself booked in the later minutes of the first half. He was in fact the first player who was shown a yellow card. The manager was rather unhappy to see him getting booked unnecessarily. In the second half, he misjudged a ball completely. Thankfully, the shot went wide.

CB-Boyomo-3/10

Had a very poor defensive performance. Enzo did not look confident with the ball in his box. Moreover, he made a couple of errors as well. The manager was rather unhappy and took him off at the beginning of the 2nd half.

RB-Tchatchoua-5/10

Looked very sharp in the first half. Knew where to be whether they were holding a high line or dealing with counterattacks. He made a couple of decisive challenges to shut down Eswatini’s build-up. He was subbed off in the 77th minute as the manager wanted fresh legs to be introduced.

CM-Bassogog-4.5/10

Tried to make something happen every time he went forward. However, every time he tried to dribble past the Eswatini defenders, he ended up giving the ball away. That being said, he was good at recovering loose balls. He was subbed off in the 80th minute.

CM-Hongla-5/10

Was great in the midfield today. Even though the midfield this evening was contested for a long time, he along with his peers made sure that they were the ones to control the tempo of the game. He had the best composure on the ball today for his team.

CM-Baleba-6/10

His ball retention rate in the first half was very high. As Cameroon seemed to be pressing throughout the first half, he was there at all the right spots to get the ball back as soon as the team gave it away.

CM-Mbeumo-6.5/10

The Brentford man was the star of the match. Had a couple of go in the first half. His attempt after a nutmeg in the 21st minute almost saw his team get the first goal. He kept on taking his chances throughout the game, but the Brentford forward did not find the back of the net today.

ST-Aboubakar-5.5/10

Had a great chance in the 21st minute and he got the ball in the box well. However, Eswatini’s low-block defense had him covered. Made a stunning run in the box but failed to have a touch of the inviting cross. Was subbed off in the 85th minute.

ST-Magri-5/10

Had fewer touches than his forward partner. Even though he had great positioning in the box and outside of it, there were fewer deliveries. He was subbed off as the 2nd half began.

Sub-Namaso-4/10

Came in the 2nd half to replace Magri. The idea was to have an attacking boost. The substitution seemed to work as Cameroon started moving the ball with more intent. Had a stunning volley from outside the box but it didn’t have direction.

Sub-Dawa-4.5/10

Came to replace Boyomo as the Manager was not happy with Enzo’s performance in the first half. Made a couple of authoritative challenges after he came on.

Sub-Ngamaleu-4/10

Came in the 77th minute to introduce fresh legs. Though Cameroon is sitting at the top of the table, the manager wanted to win the fixture.

Sub-Ngoumou-4/10

Came into the 80th minute to replace Bassogog. It was another attacking change from the manager. Since coming on, he started pressing the ball aggressively along with his peers.