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Cape Town - Cameroon will look to take control of Group M in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers when they face Gambia in Bakau on Sunday.
The Indomitable Lions currently enjoy a two-point lead at the top of the pool, with their 1-0 win over Mauritania in June – secured by a late goal from Vincent Aboubakar – placing them in pole position after South Africa and Gambia drew 0-0 in the other match.
Cameroon have been dealt a blow in the lead up to the match, with striker Clinton Njie and defender Aurelien Chedjou both ruled out. However, the return of Joel Matip is a big boost for coach Volker Finke. The Schalke player has not appeared for his national team since last year’s World Cup.
As for Gambia and coach Raoul Savoy, they will be without striker Ousman Jallow, who has declared himself unavailable for the match, though the fact that Ibou Sawaneh has ended his international exile is a much-needed fillip.
"I'm happy with [my] selection," said Sawaneh. "I will always do anything to represent my country. I'm ready [for Cameroon].”
Ibou will be the only experienced striker and is expected to be partnered by either Swedish-based Pa Dibba or Chinese-based Bubacarr Trawally.
This will be the first official senior international match between Gambia and Cameroon, while Tunisian referee Mohamed Said Kordi will take charge of the fixture in Bakau.
The other Group M match this weekend sees Mauritania host South Africa in Nouakchott on Saturday evening.
Kick-off at the Independence Stadium will be at 18:30 (SA time).
