AFCON 2025: Cameroon coach David Pagou anticipating tough Round 16 clash against South Africa

The head coach of Cameroon’s national team, David Pagou, is expecting a tough encounter against South Africa in the Round 16 stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).The Indomitable Lions will take on the Bafana Bafana on Sunday, January 4, in a match scheduled to kick off at 19:00 GMT.Speaking ahead of the match, Pagou described South Africa as a strong and stubborn opponent, adding that the upcoming tie will be tough for his side."We know that the South African team is a strong and stubborn opponent. They have a well-known league and players who have known each other for a long time, so the match will be complicated. They are a good and cohesive group,” the Cameroon coach said.Pagou added, "We will play to our strengths, and we will try to make the match difficult for them. The goal is to be present in force and deliver a good performance."Both South Africa and Cameroon have already commenced preparations for the Round 16 tie and hope to secure victory to advance to the quarter-finals.