Cameroon
Cameroon
The Indomitable Lions’ Head Coach, Paul Le Guen, has led his side to a remarkable World Cup qualification. After struggling against Togo and Morocco in early Group games, Le Guen took over, and Cameroon haven’t looked back. They’re not expected to be Africa’s first World Champion, but don’t write them off. Organised, physically imposing and a great goal scorer are three traditional attributes of strong World Cup teams.
The Cameroonian squad boasts a number of players who play in the top leagues in England, Spain, Italy and Germany, and this is testament to the talent that the squad undoubtedly possesses. In defence, the Tottenham duo of Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Sebastian Bassong are coming off the back of an excellent season in the Premier League, and will be hoping to recreate this at the international level. Veteran center back Rigobert Song, Cameroon’s most capped player with 134 appearances, boasts plenty of experience and guile, but it is his nephew Alexander Song who will be more familiar to Premier League fans after some excellent performances for Arsenal in the last two years. Marseille’s Stephane M’Bia was crucial as his club claimed the Ligue 1 title this season, and he will be expected to provide creativity in midfield along with Achille Emana. Teenage winger Joel Matip and young striker Eyong Enoh have both proven their worth in the lead up to the tournament, and will inject pace and flair into Cameroon’s play. However, the responsibility for scoring goals will rest with captain and talismanic star Samuel Eto’o, who has been one of the best strikers in Europe for the past decade.
Key Player: Samuel Eto’o
Considered by many to be the best African player of his era, Samuel Etoo’s achievments speak for themselves. Eto'o scored over 100 goals in five seasons with FC Barcelona, and is also the record holder in number of appearances by an African player in La Liga. Last season, he became the first player to win two European Continental Trebles following his back-to-back achievements with Barcelona and Internazionale. He is one of only two players to have ever scored in two separate UEFA Champions League finals, and one of three who have won the UEFA Champions League two years in a row with different teams. These achievements make him the most decorated African player of all time at the club level. On the international stage, Eto’o has been Cameroon’s superstar for many years – he has scored 45 times in 94 appearances, and is one of the fastest and most threatening strikers on the world stage. He is the record holder for goals scored in the African Nations Cup and Cameroon’s highest ever scorer. With this World Cup taking place in his home continent, Eto’o has promised a spectacular showing, and Cameroon fans will be hoping he lives up to expectations.
What they said
It’s a great achievement for all of us to be able to play in a World Cup, especially one in Africa. We are dangerous because we have a good mix of experience, and we have learned to play together,” Cameroon striker Samuel Etoo is optimistic ahead of the finals.
What we think
Cruised through qualifying but will still be hugely reliant on the talismanic Eto'o up front. The second round looks to be about the limit of what they can achieve.
