The Indomitable Lions arrive in Malaga, Spain, today for their final training camp ahead of the 24th edition of the African Cup of Nations that begins in Tunisia in 12 days time. Prior to their departure from Cameroon yesterday evening, the Lions took time off to communion with Cameroonians at the Yaounde Omnisport stadium. This was during the traditional fare well exhibition match organised on the eve of all their major outings.
It was an occasion for the group to demonstrate its savoir-faire and above all exhibit its prowess to the Cameroonian public. The performance and mood of the Lions yesterday inspired confidence. There was complete harmony. The players were serene and in top form. « It is team we can count on », one of the thousands of spectators at the gala match of yesterday afternoon noted.
From all indications, it is a strong and united team that left the country for Tunisia; a team selected principally on the basis of the talents of the athletes. « We are in top form and the level of cohesion in the group is very strong », Samuel Eto’o Fils, assistant captain of the Indomitable Lions noted at a press conference in Yaounde yesterday. In effect, head coach Winfred Schäffer went back to his reservoir of players who defended the national colours honourably during the 2003 Confederations Cup in France. They form the bulk of the team. « It was a very good and well disciplined team. That is why they could go that far. We need the same discipline for the African Cup of Nations », he explained in an exclusive interview granted to Cameroon Tribune yesterday. The new comers in Schafer’s 27-man provisional squad – Thierry Gathuessi of French side Montpellier and the home-based goalkeeping duo of Mathurin Kameni of Coton Sport Garoua and Amour Patrick Tignyemb of Tonnerre Yaounde are presently leaving their marks in their clubs. Similarly, the talents of Marcus Mokake, the only other home-based player in the squad, cannot be disputed. Yesterday, Patrick Mboma, was called up to join the provisional team. According to Winfred Schäffer it was necessary to include the former African Footballer of the Year because he could play a decisive role for the Indomitable Lions at the Nations Cup as he has the experience and can bring in positive change in moments of trouble. He can be our joker, » Schafer admitted.
Similarly, the Cameroonian government and the Cameroon Football Federation have done all to ensure that the programme elaborated by the provisional administrative unit for national teams is respected. The Lions have camped for training thrice since September. All financial and administrative engagements surrounding the team’s participation at the Nations Cup have also been sorted out. The team, for example, will put on newly designed jerseys during the competition. The sports wears are already available. Some 73 cartoons of the equipment have been ferried to the Malaga training camp site. Financial issues have also been sorted out. Last Saturday night, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Bidoung Mkpatt, held a meeting with the players and members of the provisional unit of the management of national teams during which the problem of allowances and bonuses to players were examined.
The final list of 22 players to defend the national colours in Tunisia will be published at the end of the training camp. Cameroon begins defending its continental title on 25 January against Algeria in Sousse with one objective: bring home the most coveted trophy for the third consecutive time. They will also play against Egypt and Zimbabwe in the group stage.
Irene MORIKANG
