World football witnessed flashes of brilliance of Cameroon and individual sparks of magic man Roger Milla. But for a while lions were in hibernating in wilderness. Occasionally they roared and let out less than unconvincing roar. The nation popularly as African football beacon has rested on past glory for a long time. Soccer pundits are no so optimistic of Cameroon’s potential in world cup 2014 being in a group with host and hot favorite Brazil, Mexico and Croatia. But the team which possess players like, Samuel Eto, Alex Song and Fabric Olinga may create few surprises, some upsets.
Cameroon head to Brazil with some pedigree, given they have qualified for the world cup seven times, the most among the African nations. They also boast four African Cup of Nations titles, although the last of which came 11 years ago in the 2002 edition in Mali. However, while Cameroon’s history may be illustrious, in recent years they have failed to live up to the expectations that the team of the great Roger Milla set in the ‘80s and ‘90s. That 2002 triumph marks the last time Les Lions Indomptables won a major tournament.
The 1990 World Cup represented a high point in Cameroon’s history in that particular competition. 38-year old Milla inspired his nation, and the world, by scoring four times as he flung Cameroon into the quarter-finals. His trademark dance marked every goal, and represented the African spirit which has been so beautifully displayed in tournaments ever since.
Cameroon’s road to Brazil 2014 was not a bed of roses. They were in a group with Libya, fresh from the heroics from the 2012 ANC and fuelled by revolutionary fire, Togo, who have a talisman of their own in Emmanuel Adebayer and the Democratic Republic of Congo, whose club TP Mazembe had reached the final of Club World Cup. Cameroon was leading the group with three straight wins and then they were awarded a win over Togo as they fielded an ineligible player. After a draw with DR Congo, Cameroon required win against Libya at home for graduation to next round. Some controversy surrounding Eto created some challenges. But he made an impassionate public plea for his teammates to put aside the differences and got Cameroon to Brazil with an impressive 4-1 win against Tunisia. Cameroon has to forget about the 1-5 drubbing they got from Portugal in March 2014 friendly. The heroics of 1990 are beautiful but starting to blur.
Nowadays, Cameroon is very much a nation in transition on the field, after a host of well-known stars hung up their boots throughout the past decade. The likes of Geremi, Rigobert Song and Lauren are no longer in the setup and they have been replaced by a group of fledgling youngsters, who are just starting to come of age. Alex Song has been a regular for a number of years, Joël Matip is highly rated by his club Schalke, and Nicolas N’Koulou is a long-term target of Arsenal.
Veteran Samuel Eto’o remains a key figure in the Cameroon side, too. The Chelsea man will be making his fourth appearance at a World Cup next summer, and he is sure to be his country’s linchpin in attack. If they are to progress through to the knockout stages for only the second time in seven attempts, Eto’o will be instrumental.
Goalkeepers: Charles Itandje (Konyaspor), Guy Roland Ndy Assembe (Guingamp), Sammy Ndjock (Fethiyespor), Feudjou Loic (Coton Sport).
Defenders: Allan Nyom (Granada), Nounkeu Dany (Besiktas), Cedric Djeugoue (Coton Sport), Aurelien Chedjou (Galatasaray), Nicolas N'koulou (Marseille), Jean-Armel Kana-Biyick (Rennes), Henri Bedimo (Lyon), Benoit Assou-Ekotto (QPR), Gaetang Bong (Olympiakos).
Midfielders: Enoh Eyong (Antalyaspor), Jean Makoun (Rennes), Joel Matip (Schalke 04), Stephane Mbia (Sevilla, on loan from QPR), Landry Nguemo (Bordeaux), Alexandre Song (Barcelona), Cedric Loe (Osasuna), Edgar Salli (Lens).
Forwards: Samuel Eto'o (Chelsea), Eric-Maxime Choupo-Moting (Mainz 05), Benjamin Moukandjo (Nancy), Vincent Aboubakar (Lorient), Pierre Achille Webo (Fenerbahce), Mohamadou Idrissou (Kaiserslautern), Fabrice Olinga (Zulte Waregem).
Coach Volker Finke took over in 2013 being the 7th manager since 2007. He coached in Japan before. Brazil World Cup will be the first international assignment with national team.
Fabric Olinga is a strong forward playing for Zulte Waregem, Belgium. He is equally capable of running at defenders or into the channels. He has drawn comparisons with Samuel Eto.
Alex Song is a disruptive force .He snaps at the heels of the opposition , controlling the midfield and breaking up play before starting off swift counter attacks.
If one man symbolizes the hopes and dreams of Cameroon, it’s Samuel Eto .The marquee man is the face, heart and soul of the country’s game. He is the richest footballer of the African Continent. He is the most decorated footballer in Africa. The indomitable Lion’s captain and star will be playing in his fourth World Cup finals in Brazil 2014. He will be hoping to reach the knock out stage at least .It will be a fitting end to the international career of the African Soccer star if he can inspire another meaningful roar of African Lions .
Eto is definitely an enigma but Cameroon is not about Eto alone. Coach Volker Finke knows that “Football today is about depth. You need a minimum of 10 to 12 individual players of top ability. It is no longer a game where just one can make a difference.” Players like Barcelona’s Alex Song, Stade Rennais Jean Makoun and Sevilla’s Stephane Mbia to control the midfield. Cameroon also possesses Goal Keeper Charles Hubert –Itandje, who pulled off stunning saves to keep them level against Tunisia in the first leg.
Bangladesh and the developing world will definitely cheer for the indomitable lions of Africa in their very challenging journey in World Cup Brazil 2014.
BDST: 1120 HRS, MAY 25, 2014
