Cameroon have been handed a potential injury setback after midfielder Carlos Baleba was forced off during Manchester United’s Champions League meeting with AS Roma, just days before the Indomitable Lions begin preparations for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Namibia.
The 48th-minute substitution at Old Trafford has raised concerns over the availability of the midfielder for the upcoming international fixtures, although the extent of his injury has not been established.
Baleba, who started the match for Manchester United on Tuesday, pulled up shortly after the restart and appeared to be struggling with an issue at the back of his thigh.
The Cameroonian midfielder stopped during a run, clutching the back of his leg, before realising he could not continue.
He subsequently made his way towards the dressing room looking dejected, with Youri Tielemans coming on to replace him.
The incident occurred while Manchester United were trailing Roma 2-0, adding to an evening that had already proved difficult for the home side.
However, the greater concern for Cameroon will be the timing of the injury, with the national team expected to assemble shortly for their preparations ahead of two matches against Namibia.
The fixtures form part of the qualifying campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, with the Indomitable Lions looking to maintain their ambitions of reaching the continental tournament.
Baleba’s possible absence would be a concern for the Cameroonian technical team, given the importance of having their midfield options available for the upcoming assignments.
The midfielder’s injury also comes at an inconvenient point in the international calendar, leaving the national team with little time before the start of their training camp.
His condition will therefore be closely monitored as Cameroon prepare for the double-header.
For now, there is no confirmed diagnosis or indication of how long the midfielder could be sidelined. The concern remains that what appeared to be a muscle problem could affect his availability for the national team.
Cameroon will be hoping the issue is not serious and that Baleba can recover in time to join his international team-mates.
With the Namibia matches approaching, his fitness could become an important talking point in the Indomitable Lions’ preparations for the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.
