Africa’s contenders
CAMEROON
This will be the eighth time that the Indomitable Lions compete at the finals, which is the most by any African country, but comes after a last gasp goal in the March playoff against Algeria ensured their progress.
It was not a convincing campaign with qualification secured some six weeks after they had finished third at the Africa Cup of Nations tournament they hosted, after which they changed their coach and put former skipper Rigobert Song in charge.
They are in a tough Group G where they will need a vast improvement to stand any chance of advancing.
Opponents
Switzerland
November 24, 3pm
Al Janoub Stadium
The Swiss finished above European champions Italy to ensure direct qualification to the World Cup and at last year’s European Championship eliminated world champions France before Spain halted them in the quarter-finals, but only after a penalty shootout.
Murat Yakin took over as coach last year, continuing the work of Vladimir Petkovic, who had been in charge for seven years.
The Swiss beat Togo 2-0 at the 2006 World Cup in their only previous finals meeting with African opposition but have a record of six wins, three draws and five defeats in 14 past internationals against nations from the continent.
