Bayer Leverkusen coach Klaus Toppmoller has tipped Cameroon to become the first African winners of the World Cup this summer. « They are the only African side capable of reaching the semi-finals and then everything is possible, » he said.
« France and Argentina are the favourites and Brazil have many excellent players, but they are too playful and not determined enough, » added the German. « Italy may have a good tournament as well because of their strong defence. »
Toppmoller is more sceptical about his own country’s chances. « Rudi Voller and his team will qualify for the second stage, but we must not have big expectations, » he said.
« They might be able to qualify for the quarter-finals, but with Jens Nowotny, Mehmet Scholl and Christian Worns missing, anything else would be a sensation, » added the former Kaiserslautern striker, who won three Germany caps.
