South Africa vs Cameroon Prediction: Heavyweights collide for tense affair

Two of the biggest names in African football collide for a place in the Afcon quarter-finals on Sunday evening at Al Medina Stadium (19:00 GMT, live on 4seven), in what is their first meeting in any competition since 2016.

South Africa finished in third place in the last edition of the tournament, while Cameroon are one of the competition's most successful nations, lifting the coveted trophy five times. Read on for my South Africa vs Cameroon predictions, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Sphephelo Sithole was replaced at half-time in South Africa's match against Zimbabwe, but it was confirmed by head coach Hugo Broos that this was a tactical decision, so expect the midfielder to retain a starting berth here.

Burnley's Lyle Foster will lead the line, especially after his goal against Zimbabwe, while Ronwen Williams is expected to start between the sticks.

As for Cameroon, they should have a fully-fit squad to choose from, apart from Nouhou Tolo who suffered an injury in the group stages.

South Africa vs Cameroon Odds

South Africa are 21/10 to win in 90 minutes, the draw is 2/1 and Cameroon are priced up at 6/4, giving them an implied win probability of 40%.

Both teams to score is 10/11 and over 2.5 goals is available at 11/8.

Match Result - South Africa (90 minutes) @ 21/10

We have yet to see the best of South Africa at this year's Afcon, but their record heading into the tournament wasn't one to be scoffed at - and their only defeat across their last 14 games was the 1-0 defeat to Egypt on matchday two.

In fact, alarm bells will be ringing that Bafana Bafana didn't take advantage of Egypt having 10 men during that encounter, but I think South Africa can find their groove against a Cameroon side whose preparations for this tournament have been clouded by chaos.

Yes, taking seven points from a possible nine on offer in the group stages is an impressive feat but question marks remain over Indomitable Lions, who parted ways with Marc Brys just weeks before Afcon got underway. Factor in captain Tolo's injury, and you sense that South Africa have a real chance to eliminate one of the competition's heavyweights here.

I think both sides will largely cancel each other out here in a tense, cagey affair - but South Africa have that extra bit of quality to edge it in 90 minutes.

Correct Score - South Africa 1-0 @ 7/1

Following on from my first tip, I'm doubling-down on South Africa to edge this game inside 90 minutes with a 1-0 correct score prediction.

Cameroon have only beaten South Africa once in nine tries, and as stated above, I envisage this being a tense contest with not a great deal splitting the teams - and South Africa's two victories at Afcon have all been by a solitary goal.

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