Cameroon – World Cup 2010 Preview #17 (Group E)

7 Jun, 2010 The Walrus Africa, Internationals, World Cup

Cameroon – World Cup 2010 Preview

For many, the Cameroon side that lit up Italia 90 were the perfect underdogs. With their tireless workrate, their obviously brilliant team spirit, and their brilliantly gifted leader and inspiration, Roger Milla, they captured the hearts of the footballing world, completely bucking the stereotypical view that Africans were physical beasts with no real footballing ability who relied on superstition.

Despite that, Cameroon picked up an extraordinary number of bookings during their second World Cup appearance. However, they were one of the last African sides to do so, as the continent moved into a relatively prosperous era, and the footballing sides moved with them.

It is testament to the improvements in the infrastructure of the African game that such a strong national side are now only considered the third best team to have qualified from the continent, and many would rank Egypt, who dominate the African Cup of Nations, above Paul Le Guen’s side, despite their failure to qualify. Ghana and the Ivory Coast would have a reasonable chance of winning the Copa America, and surely would get some way into the knockout stages of the European Championships with the right management. There’s no doubt about it- African football is on the up, and Cameroon are a central part to it.

So, here’s a preview of the Cameroon side for those of you who may not but up to date with the state of the national team since the last World Cup:

Appearances at World Cup finals: Five- 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002.

Best ever performance: 1990- Quarter Finals, knocked out by England after extra time.

Famous moment in WC history: A nine-man side led by Roger Milla beating Diego Maradona’s Argentina, who would end up losing to Germany in the final, in Italia 90.

The Lowdown: Cameroon are a strong side, but probably won’t be pulling up many trees in the summer. Despite being on a relatively even keel with Denmark and Japan, and maybe holding the advantage thanks to Samuel Eto’o, they will struggle to defeat the Netherlands, and will in all probability be knocked out to holders Italy in the first knockout round if they make it that far.

Cameroon are strong in several areas, notably centre back and central midfield, but lacking in the wide areas, and at right back. They possess Africa’s best goalkeeper, Carlos Kameni, and two good defensive midfielders in Alex Song and Jean Makoun. The mix of old and new is something that they have struggled with, and only Nicholas N’Koulou has broken into the side. The Indomitable Lions will look to repeat the antics of the side led by Milla, and they are in with a better chance than ever of doing so.

Under Paul Le Guen’s leadership, they are tactically astute, but much still depends on the form of hitman Eto’o. The side lack genuine width, with no real wingers making the squad for the African Cup of Nations, and it is likely that a mixture of attacking full backs and strikers will fill the wide slots. The mass of defensive midfielders is another problem for Le Guen to sort out, as many of his “best players” are completely surplus and haven’t made the squad.

Qualification: In the first round (used to weed out the sides with no chance), they advanced undefeated, topping Group 1 having dropped just two points (in a draw with third-placed Tanzania). In the second round, they were drawn in a group with Morocco, Togo and Gabon. After poor early results, including a defeat to Togo and a draw with Morocco, Otto Pfister was fired as manager, and replaced with Paul Le Guen, formerly of Rangers and Lyon. Results improved dramatically, winning all their remaining matches and topping the group with 13 points.

Top scorer in qualifying: Samuel Eto’o (9- second only to Burkina Faso’s Moumouni Dagano in Africa)

All-time World Cup finals top scorer: Roger Milla (5)

Key Player: Samuel Eto’o – the striker has that extra something that will be crucial to Cameroon’s chance of success. His fitness is of the upmost importance. Could be tired after a long Champions League campaign, but he is used to reaching the final after winning two in two consecutive seasons.

One to Watch: Nicholas N’Koulou- the young centre back looks like Rigobert Song’s long term replacement. A World Cup with the veteran centre back by his side could do the kid a world of good, though if he has a poor game, Sebastien Bassong will be snapping at his heels.

On the move?: Creative midfielder Achille Emana has been linked with Bolton, Birmingham and Blackburn.

Want more information? Read Just-Football’s predicted Cameroon squad.