Cameroon and Tunisia have everything to play for when they meet in the second leg of their World Cup qualifying play-off today. There was no separating the sides when they clashed in Rades last month but the hosts have been buoyed by the return of a number of key players, including Stephen Mbia.
The two sides go into the match on level terms after a hard-fought 0-0 draw in Rades on October 13, with the Indomitable Lions having been able to keep a clean sheet thanks to a fine performance from goalkeeper Charles Itandje. Fenerbahce forward Pierre Webo could even have earned the visitors a crucial away win but he missed from just five yards out. Tunisia coach Ruud Krol, though, was left disappointed with his side's inability to convert their chances in the first leg. He said: "We were in control for most of the game, with some shaky phases from time to time.
"We must not forget who were in front of us. Now we will do everything to score a goal in Yaounde. We have what it takes to achieve it." The two sides have only played each other four times in competitive matches since 2000, with Cameroon unbeaten against their rivals in that spell, which includes two victories, one coming after extra-time. Tunisia do go into the encounter in good form, however.
Including friendlies, they have only lost three of their last 22 matches, with two of those coming against African heavyweights Ivory Coast and Ghana. Cameroon, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their previous five competitive fixtures and came through their qualifying group with four wins from their six matches to top Group I ahead of Libya. Krol received a boost in the build-up to the match after France-born midfielders Fabien Camus and Houcine Nater gained citizenship, allowing them to feature in the crucial tie.
The Tunisia coach will, however, be without the services of defenders Alaeddine Yahia and Aymen Abdennour (both knee). Cameroon coach Volker Finke has been able to recall numerous players who missed out on the first leg, with Landry Nguemeo, Henri Bedimo, Gaetan Bong, Stephane Mbia and Loe Raoul all back in the squad. Lorient forward Vincent Aboubakar has also kept his place after a good start to the season in France, while QPR left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto is recalled.
