Cameroon and Comoros renew rivalry in Garoua for Afcon 2027 opener

Cameroon begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Comoros in Garoua on Thursday, having missed out on the 2026 World Cup.

The Group? Source doesn't state group, don't add. The match is one of the notable fixtures on the opening day and will be played at the Stade Roumde Adjia. The decision to stage it in northern Cameroon is understood to have been taken by Fecafoot, with the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde and Japoma previously viewed as more likely venues.

Kick-off is at 20:00 local time in Cameroon (GMT+1) on Thursday, 24 September 2026. That is 21:00 in France and 22:00 in Comoros.

The match will be shown in France on beIN Sports Max 4. CRTV is expected to broadcast it in Cameroon, while ORTC may provide coverage in Comoros. Canal+ will be among the broadcasters in French-speaking sub-Saharan Africa, with beIN Sports Mena showing the fixture in North Africa.

Cameroon squad undergoes significant changes

The game marks Cameroon’s first international gathering since March. David Pagou’s side will look to build on a positive start to the year, but the squad contains several changes from the team that reached the quarter-finals of the most recent Africa Cup of Nations.

Captain Nouhou Tolo has not been selected, alongside experienced players Devis Epassy, Christian Bassogog and Christopher Wooh. Carlos Baleba and Karl Etta Eyong are unavailable because of injury, while Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa has retired from international football.

Andre Onana, Vincent Aboubakar and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting also remain outside the squad after being left out for an extended period.

Bryan Mbeumo and Christian Kofane are among the few established names in the selection. Pagou has also called up five international newcomers, including Bill Nsongo of La Corogne, in a squad that has attracted controversy.

Comoros are also under new management, with Hubert Velud now in charge. The Cœlacanthes were eliminated in the first round of the last Africa Cup of Nations without scoring a goal, and their squad has likewise been refreshed. Youssouf M’Changama, Faiz Selemani and El Fardou Ben Nabouhane remain absent after being excluded since that tournament.

The visitors will have the events of 2022 in mind. Cameroon eliminated Comoros 2-1 in the last 16 of its Africa Cup of Nations, in a match overshadowed by a disputed goalkeeping situation.

Chaker Alhadhur, a left-back, had to play in goal after the CAF refused to authorise Ali Ahamada’s participation, despite the goalkeeper testing negative for coronavirus.