Brys wants to see passion from Cameroon in Rabat

Cameroon head coach Marc Brys insists the negativity from Fecafoot won't distract him ahead of the crunch 2026 World Cup qualifying playoff tie against DR Congo at the Al Barid Stadium in Rabat on Thursday, November 13.

Kick-off is at 9pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).

CURRENT FORM:

The announcement of Brys' squad was delayed until November 9 after the Belgian refused to travel to Yaounde for a press conference to unveil his list of players.

Brys felt it was a waste of time and opted to fly straight to Morocco to focus on preparing his team for the second-round clash with the Leopards.

The Indomitable Lions missed out on automatic qualification for the global showpiece after they finished runners-up to Cape Verde in Group D.

Brys' side were held to a 0-0 draw by Angola in their final group match on October 13, having run out 2-0 victors over Mauritius five days earlier.

The five-time African champions won three of their last five games, but they faced an uphill task after losing 1-0 to the Blue Sharks on September 9.

DR Congo were pipped to top spot in Group B by Senegal, who finished just two points ahead of them to advance to the biggest single sporting event on the planet.

Sebastien Desabre's side recorded back-to-back 1-0 wins against Togo and Sudan last month after going down to the Lions of Teranga in a five-goal thriller (3-2) on September 9.

The last meeting between the two countries saw Cameroon come away with a narrow 1-0 victory in a friendly on 16 February 2020.

WHAT WAS SAID:

Cameroon head coach Marc Brys

"The group is mature and competent enough to handle the situation. It is not the first time for many, and I am 100 per cent sure that we will be ready if the mentality is good and if the passion and enthusiasm are present from the beginning.

"I am a positive person so I do not deal with the negative like for example Fecafoot."

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Cameroon - Bryan Mbeumo has been in scintillating form for Manchester United this season, scoring five goals in 11 Premier League appearances. The 26-year-old winger was also instrumental in keeping the Indomitable Lions' World Cup hopes alive after registering four goals and two assists in the group stages.

DR Congo - Cedric Bakambu enjoyed a productive qualifying campaign as well, scoring four goals in his last three appearances to ensure the Leopards made it to the playoffs as one of the best second-placed teams. With Yoane Wissa still sidelined through injury, Desabre will be hoping the 34-year-old striker can continue his purple patch against Cameroon.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: (Last five matches)

Matches - 5

Cameroon wins - 3

DR Congo wins - 0

Draws - 2