The Indomitable Lions, who included Andre Onana and Bryan Mbeumo in their line-up for the play-off against DR Congo, were beaten 1-0 by a late goal in Morocco.
Onana, on loan from United at Trabzonspor, passed a fitness test in order to play and made one fine save to deny Cedric Bakambu as a cagey affair unfolded in difficult, wet conditions.
Our Premier League Player of the Month for October, Mbeumo, showed flashes of his class and was desperately unlucky when firing inches off target but the tie was decided in injury time.