Group C of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaigns ends with a meeting between Cameroon and Burundi at Stade Omnisport Roumde Adjia on Tuesday.
Both teams are still in with a chance of making it through to next year's continental event heading into their clash in Garoua, which promises to be an absorbing affair.
Match preview
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Cameroon played out a 2-2 draw against El Tri of Mexico when the sides went head-to-head at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego on June 11.
Rigobert Song's men led 1-0 and 2-1 through strikes from Bryan Mbeumo and Karl Toko Ekambi but were pegged back on either occasion through Israel Reyes and Kevin Alvarez.
As a result, the Indomitable Lions are now without a win in four consecutive games across all competitions since beating Congo in the African Nations Championship.
Awaiting them next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat in the only previous edition of this fixture back in June 2022.
Having won both of their last two home outings, Tuesday's hosts now go in search of a much-needed victory on home turf if they are to avoid missing out on a place in the upcoming AFCON.
Burundi kickstarted their AFCON qualifying journey with a crucial 3-2 triumph over Namibia at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium on June 20.
Etienne Ndayiragije's men romped to a three-goal lead early on thanks to goals from Abedi Bigirimana, Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana and Shabani Hussein before Peter Shalulile and Wendell Rudath netted in either half to set up a frenetic finish.
With four points picked up from their three matches, Les Hirondelles sit third in the group, level on points with Cameroon and just one adrift of leaders Namibia.
Currently on a run of just one away victory since 2020, Tuesday's visitors must now get themselves going on the road in what is a must-win encounter on enemy territory.
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Team News
Abedi Bigirimana has found the back of the net in his last two appearances for Burundi and will be looking to deliver the goods once again.
Frederic Nsabiyumva continues to surge up the visitors' all-time appearances chart as he racked up his 42nd cap against Namibia last time out.
Bryan Mbeumo will be aiming to pick up where left off on international duty after finally opening his Cameroon account at the ninth attempt.
Andre Onana will be targeting an immediate return to the starting XI having been called up for the first time since his fallout with Rigobert Song at the 2022 World Cup.
Cameroon possible starting lineup:
Epassy; Tolo, Mbaizo, Moukoudi, Wooh; Anguissa, Ntcham, Ngamaleu, Ondoua; Mbeumo, Toko Ekambi
Burundi possible starting lineup:
Rukundo; Jordi, Nduwarugira, Nsabiyumva, Nshimirimana, Kanakimana; Mvuyekure, Bigirimana, Moussa; Hussein, Bimenyimana
We say: Cameroon 2-1 Burundi
With an AFCON spot within touching distance for both teams, neither of them will need any additional motivation to put on a show here. We are anticipating a keenly-contested clash and a narrow win for the hosts in the end.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
