By Robert Carry
The Indomitable Lions are by far and away Africa’s most successful team having appeared in six World Cups, four Africa Cup of Nations and winning gold at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
They first arrived on the World Cup stage in 1982 and despite holding Italy, Poland and Peru to draws, they failed to do enough to make it out of their group.
They failed to get out of their group in 1994, 1998 and 2002, but their performance in 1990 will live long in the memories of many. They were drawn in Group B with Argentina, Romania, and the Soviet Union and got off to a flier by defeating holders Argentina 1-0.
They then beat Romania 2-1 and despite a loss to the Soviet Union they had done enough to go through to the last 16. They were drawn against Colombia in the second round, who they beat 2-1 thanks to a brace from Roger Milla, and then went on to a last eight clash with England.
The match turned out to be one of the games of the tournament with both sides leading during the 90 minutes until David Platt made it 3-2 in injury time.
Leg-hacking
However, it was the furthest an African team had ever managed to get and their entertaining, leg-hacking style of play proved a hit with the neutrals.
The current Cameroon side has a decent blend of youth and experience with Arsenal’s Alexandre Song expected to deliver creatively from midfield. They are an attacking side with manager Paul Le Guen opting to go with a 4-3-3 formation in the latter qualifiers.
The spear-head of the attack is of course Samuel Eto’o who clicked into gear in the later qualifiers and delivered some much needed goals.
Defensively, Cameroon are expected to be solid. In Carlos Kameni they have one of the top goalkeepers in Spain, while Rigobert Song (remember him, Liverpool fans?) and Geremi will add some experience to the younger team mates in the defensive unit around them.
One downside is the fact that Eto’o has been making some unwelcome noises in the run-up to the tournament. He came in for some criticism from Cameroon legend Roger Milla and responded by threatening to walk. Worse still came in his team’s last friendly before the tournament – he was sent off for two rash challenges within moments of each other.
Discipline might be an issue elsewhere in the team – Song is one of only two players to be sent off at two different World Cups. In 1998 they had three players sent off in three games and picked up more yellow cards than anyone else in the tournament – despite not getting out of their group.
Star Player: Samuel Eto’o
Eto’o – Cameroon’s shining light
Three-time African Player of the Year Samuel Eto’o is very much Cameroon’s shining light. He was handed the captaincy during the qualifiers by new manager Paul Le Guen and initially responded extremely well.
He has however, started throwing Keane-esque tantrums of late and a walk-out or red card wouldn’t be beyond the realms of possibility. He has undoubted class and proved his ability to deliver on the big stage by twice scoring in Champions League finals. However, he doesn’t look like a man enjoying international football duty right now.
Manager: Paul Le Guen
Paul Le Guen – a long way from Rangers
Cameroon struggled during the early stages of their qualifying campaign under German manager Otto Pfister, but that all changed with the arrival of 46-year-old French manager Paul Le Guen.
Le Guen was new to international football management but would be remembered in this part of the world for his stint with Rangers from 2007 to 2009. Along with his Scotland experience, the Frenchman also led Stade Rennais, Olympique Lyonnais where he won three titles and most recently, Paris St Germain.
The former French international set out his stall early by withdrawing the captaincy from veteran campaigner Rigobert Song and handing it to Eto’o. It proved a positive decision and both players improved their games at international level in the immediate aftermath.
Prediction: Last 16
Cameroon should safely see off Japan but will struggle against the technical, polished play of the Netherlands. That means their chances of qualifying rest on how they perform against a Denmark side which breezed through the qualifiers. We reckon the Lions might just do enough and make it to the last 16.
Odds: 100/1
Irishness rating: 7/10
Cameroon have been a big part of Ireland’s World Cup history – they were the other surprise package at the 1990 World Cup. We all remember cracking our holes laughing at Roger Milla’s dance moves and cheering them on when they went into the lead against England. Unless you’re 20. Then you remember feck all.
We also played these fellas at the 2002 World Cup – going a goal down before Matty Holland brought us level with a scorcher from range. If it wasn’t for the fact that their manager is a French bloke who used to manage Rangers, we’d nearly adopt them.
If they were a car they’d be…
A DeLorean. They burst onto the scene back in the day but have since proved to be the ultimate World Cup flash-in-the-pan.
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