The Under 23 Lions go on the pitch next Sunday in Bamako, Mali, to seek qualification for this year’s summer Olympics. It will be a do or die encounter against the Malian Eagles as the doors of the Olympic Games are still open for both teams. Judging from the results so far, reigning Olympic Champions, Cameroon, stand a greater chance to grab the lone ticket of Group B.
The Olympic Lions need just a draw to sail through, while the Malians need to win. However, the adversaries of the lions are no push overs. Secondly, the match will be played in the Eagles’ nest. But the Lions are leaving nothing to chance.
This certainly explains why on Monday March 15, barely a day after the Under 23 Lions were held to a humiliating one all tie with the Simbas of the Democratic Repubublic of Congo in Yaounde, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Bidoung Mpkatt, dispatched a delegation to Europe. The team comprised Robert Ndzana, Director of Sports and head of the administrative unit of national teams, Jean Réné Atangana Mballa, Secretary General of Cameroon Football Federation and Robert Corfou, Technical Director of the National football team. Their mission was to hunt for players who could reinforce the Lions’ squad.
Ten names were short listed by coach, Jean Paul Akono. These included Samuel Eto’o Fils (Real Majorca, Spain), Eric Djemba Djemba (Manchester United, England), Modeste Mbami (PSG, France), Idriss Carlos Kameni (Le Havre, France), Jean Makoun II (Lille, France), Marcus Mokake (Sedan,France) Achille Webo (Osasuna, Spain) Emana Achille (Toulouse, France), Atouba Thimothee (FC Bâle, Swizerland) and Ngambi Alex.
Globally, the emissaries could not convince the club managers to release the players. Out of the lot, only Ngambi Alex and Kameni Carlos were granted leave of absence by their teams. The two internationals joined the other players at the Ombe training camp yesterday. « We were made to understand that the players we wanted were very important to their teams and could not be released now », Robert Ndzana said. The coach of Sedan, Dominique Bathnay, for example said since the arrival of Marcus Mokake, his club nurtures dreams to move up to the premiere league. Coach Claude Puel of Lille also gave a similar excuse for Jean Makoun II. The same story holds for Modest Mbami of Paris Saint Germain. The delegation even went as far as consulting the French professional football league to no avail. The failure stems from the fact that the Olympic qualifiers are not on the schedule of the world football governing body. Clubs as such are not obliged to let go their players to compete in the tournament.
Even though these players will be absent, preparations intensify in Ombe, South West proovine, ahead of Sunday’s encounter. Coach Jean Paul Akono, contacted over the phone yesterday, said the players are upbeat. « Measures have been taken to ensure that the show down of last March 14th does not repeat itself », he said. Already, all training sessions are scheduled at midday to enable the lions get used to the scorching midday sun similar to the prevailing climate in Mali.
Meanwhile, reports from Mali hold that the Eagles are busy sharpening their claws. Sources close to the Malian Football Federation hold that the squad has been completely overhauled. Mali’s head coach, Cheick Oumar Kone, has selected 13 foreign-based professionals who were in the last African Cup of Nations finals to add steam to his team.
But as Robert Ndzana says, Cameroon is up to the task. « Mali will also be playing under serious pressure. Our boys just need to concentrate and they will make it », he noted.
Irene MORIKANG
