Cameroon’s German coach Winfried Schaefer said he would be happy to knock out his home nation at the World Cup finals.
African Nations Cup holders Cameroon are paired with Germany, Saudi Arabia and Ireland in Group E but Schaefer insists the draw leaves him with no conflict of interests.
« Immediately after the draw, I thought ‘Oh no’. But now I’m happy about it, » he said.
« However the match must not become the decisive game for either of us. I don’t want people to be able to say afterwards: Schaefer knocked out Germany. But if we have to, I’ll do it, » Schaefer told German sports agency SID.
Cameroon play Germany in Shizuoka, Japan, on June 11 in the final match of the group.
Schaefer compared his squad to German giants Bayern Munich, saying he had added discipline to the squad’s natural talent.
« The secrets of our success are a very good team spirit and a very good character.
« It’s a real pleasure to work with them. I’ve got really motivated players in the mould of (Bayern goalkeeper) Oliver Kahn. We’re the Bayern of Africa, » he added.
Schaefer said he was aiming « for a similar performance to 1990, when we reached the quarter-finals with Roger Milla. »
Meanwhile, Cameroon’s sports minister Bidoung Mkpatt moved to reassure fans that star forward Patrick Mboma would be fit for the finals in South Korea and Japan after reports that he had undergone medical tests in Germany on an Achilles tendon injury after last weekend’s match for his English club Sunderland.
« There are no concerns about Patrick Mboma’s participation in the World Cup, » said Mkpatt.
Mboma, 31, has not played for his country since getting injured in the quarter-finals of the African Nations Cup in February.
