Sports Mole previews Friday’s friendly between Cameroon and Uzbekistan, including predictions, team news and possible line-ups.
Cameroon are taking a break from their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers when they play each other Uzbekistan at Goyang Stadium in a friendly on Friday.
The Turanians, on the other hand, go into the weekend with a streak of six straight wins in all competitions and will try to march in the same direction.
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Cameroon started their quest for a place at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 win over Burundi in their last game on June 9.
They had to let off steam at Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium where they had to let off steam Karl Toko Ekambi scored the only goal of the game after half an hour, beating the powerful Burundi side.
Before, Rigobert songAlgeria secured their eighth World Cup appearance in dramatic fashion after beating their North African counterparts Algeria on away goals after a 2-2 aggregate draw.
After losing 1-0 in front of their home crowd on March 25, Cameroon visited the Stade Mustapha Tchaker four days later, where it took place Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored in the 22nd minute to put the game into overtime before Ekambi scored in the 124th minute to eliminate Ahmed Touba‘s goal in the 111th minute to end the hosts’ hopes.
The Indomitable Lions, who clinched the bronze medal at their AFCON 2022 host, go into Friday’s clash unbeaten in eight of their ten games in all competitions this year, recording seven wins and a draw during that span.
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Uzbekistan, meanwhile, have come through 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in style, clinching three wins in their three Group C games, including a 2-0 win over Thailand in their final game on 14 June.
Tie with six points and with first place in the group going into play, Jaloliddin Masharipov and Azizbek Turgunboev scored goals in the first half to prevail against Changsuek and give the hosts a comfortable 2-0 win at the Markaziy Stadium.
Uzbekistan have now won every one of their last six games in all competitions, dating back to a 1-0 friendly defeat by Georgia when the side met in November 2021.
This impressive streak of results is thanks to the solid work done at both ends of the pitch Srecko KatanecIn their last six games, the men have scored 19 goals, conceding three and keeping four clean sheets.
Form of Cameroon International Friendships:
Cameroon form (all competitions):
Form of International Friendlies of Uzbekistan:
Uzbekistan form (all competitions):
Team News
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Cameroon have called up 26 players for the upcoming friendlies against Uzbekistan and South Korea, including players such as Andre Onanaveteran defense attorney Nicolas Nkolou and captain Vincent Aboubakar Team headliners.
Onana should get the nod in goal while we could see a central defender pairing from Jean Charles Castelletto and Nouhou Tolowith Olympiacos midfielder Pierre customer Do business in the heart of the park.
Aboubakar, currently third in the nation’s all-time top scorer list with 33 goals, should once again lead the attack, along with 30-year-old Ekambi, who has 11 goals in 50 caps.
Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo was called up to the Indomitable Lions lineup after recently switching allegiances from France while the likes of Georges Kevin Nkoudou, Darling Yongwa and man from Swansea City Olivier Ntcham will also be pushing for their debuts.
Meanwhile, Katanec has named a 23-man squad for the upcoming friendlies, including the Nasaf Qarshi goalkeeper trio Abduwohid Nematovdefender Husniddin Aliqulov and midfielder Oybek Bozorov.
While the majority of the squad currently plays in the Uzbek top flight, foreign players like it Ibrohimhalil Yuldoshev, Chojimat Erkinov and midfielder Fatih Karagumruk Otabek Shukurov convocations were also handed over.
Roma forward Eldor Shomurodovwho is currently the nation’s second-best scorer should once again lead the attack alongside Tobol Igor Sergeyevwho has 60 international matches under his belt.
Cameroon possible starting line-up:
onana; Fai, Castelletto, Tolo, Nkoulou; Kunde, Gouet, Mandjeck; Ekambi, Mbeumo, and Aboubakar
Uzbekistan possible starting line-up:
Yusupov; Aliqulov, Ashurmatov, Eshmurodov, Sayfiev; Shukurov, Mozgovoy; Sergeev, Turgunboev, Bozorov; Shomurodov
We say: Cameroon – Uzbekistan 2:1
Uzbekistan go into the weekend at full speed, having won each of their last seven games. However, with the AFCON success fresh in their minds, Cameroon will take to the field full of confidence. We predict an exciting competition on Friday with the Indomitable Lions claiming a narrow victory.
For a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, goal scores and more for this game, please click here.