Can SA beat a depleted Cameroon squad?

Potentially good news for South Africa ahead of their two matches against Cameroon in the 2017 Africa Nations Cup Qualifiers is that Cameroon will have a depleted squad, owing to injuries and suspensions.

The question will be whether Shakes Mashaba's men can take advantage of this, as well as the fact that new head coach, Hugo Broos, has not led Cameroon in any match yet.

Some of the players definitely missing out are: Vincent Aboubakar, Joel Matip, Clinton N'jie and Leonard Kweuke, while Eric Choupo-Moting and Benjamin Moukandjo are doubtful.

It is worth noting that Cameroon's attack is most depleted with Aboubakar suspended, Moukandjo highly doubtful and Choupo-Moting not 100% fit.

Coach Broos is left with Jacques Zoua as their most experienced striker (but he has only 10 caps for 3 starts), with the other available strikers being Christian Bekamenga (only played for Cameroon Olympic squad back in 2008), Karl Toko Ekambi (just 3 international appearances as a substitute in 2015) and 19-year-old newcomer Anatole Abang.

Schalke forward Choupo-Moting’s absence would be a big blow to Cameroon because they are already without star forward Aboubakar who is suspended for the first encounter with Bafana Bafana. He will be back for the second game though, in Durban.

Meanwhile Broos is also sweating over the fitness of FC Lorient striker Benjamin Moukandjo, who has a calf injury, but has been named in the squad.

A definite blow to Cameroon is the injury to Tottenham Hotspur attacker Clinton Njie. He may be nearing full fitness in England, but has not played much club football at all and was left right out of the squad. Add to that the injuries to midfielder Eyong Enoh and striker Leonard Kweuke and the picture left is one of a depleted Indomitable Lions group.

And what of experienced midfielder Alex Song? He has been recalled after he announced his international retirement in January 2015. But will he rock up for the two games?

Going on past history that is even a possibility, especially if his club West Ham United put pressure on him, time will tell.

Finally, how will the loss of Liverpool-bound defender Joel Matip affect Cameroon?

The Schalke stalwart was excluded from the squad after Broos felt Matip did not sound like he wanted to play for his country. The new boss had a phone call chat with Matip and got the feeling that he lacked motivation to play for his country.

Lying top of Group M on maximum points after recording successive victories over Mauritania and Gambia, Cameroon, although depleted, will host Bafana Bafana in Limbé on 26 March before the return game in Durban three days later.