South Africa vs Cameroon Prediction & Betting Tips (4 January)

Surprising semi-finalist of the last African Cup of Nations, in 2023, South Africa provided the essentials during the group stage. Bafana Bafana took 2nd place in their group behind a team from Egypt who inflicted their only defeat 1-0 on the 2nd day. At the same time, they took over Angola 2-1 as soon as they entered the fray and Zimbabwe 2-3 on Monday, still scoring the winning goal in the last quarter of an hour. Qualified for the 2026 World Cup after stealing the show in Nigeria and stronger than Zambia 3-1 and Ghana B 1-0 in matches without a stake, the selection led by Hugo Broos prepared for the CAN 2025 with performance at the start of the season. Cameroon has gotten into the habit of alternating between the good and the less good during the last CAN. African champions in 2017, 3rd in 2021 but beaten in the round of 16 by Nigeria two years ago, David Pagou's Indomitable Lions started the 2025 edition with 2 victories and a draw in group F.

If they enforced the hierarchy against Gabon 1-0 and Mozambique 1-2, they were however neutralized last Sunday by Ivory Coast 1-1, which stole the leadership position on goal difference. The Cameroonian selection was shaken before the tournament by the ousting of its coach Marc Brys, decided by Samuel Eto'o, the president of the Federation. Under his command, Cameroon failed in the race to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. It was beaten in the semi-finals of the African play-offs by DR Congo 0-1 in November. 

Lyle Foster (Burnley, 10 goals in 23 caps) and Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates, 7 goals in 22 caps) led South Africa during the group stage, scoring 2 goals each. The first is one of the few elements of the locker room to play in a European club and his teammate helped qualify the selection for the World Cup. They will be closely monitored by the Cameroonian defense. The majority of players called up by Hugo Broos play in the biggest clubs in the country like the holders Teboho Mokoena (midfielder, 48 caps), Khuliso Mudau (right back, 29 caps) and Aubrey Modiba (left back, 41 caps), teammates at Mamelodi Sundowns. Striker Lebo Mothiba, who played in Ligue 1 and has been absent from the selection since 2023, was not called up for the competition. The absence of Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns) is the big surprise from the list.

 The return from suspension of the starting right side Junior Tchamadeu (Stoke City, 7 sel) comes at the right time for Cameroon, who should also be able to count on another senior player, the central Nouhou Tolo (Seattle Sounders, 47 sel), released as a precaution in the last match. The new coach deplores the withdrawal of captains Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (New York Red Bulls) and Frank Anguissa (Napoli) for the tournament. André Onana (Trabzonspor), Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui (Beijing Guoan), Jean-Charles Castelletto (Al-Duhail), Jackson Tchatchoua (Wolverhampton), Martin Hongla (Granada) and former glory Vincent Aboubakar (Neftçi) were not called up by choice. The main offensive asset Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United, 7 goals in 30 caps) has not yet scored in the competition but remains very valuable in his activity.