Cameroon are worried that the Roy Keane crisis in the Republic of Ireland camp could count against them when the two teams meet in their World Cup opener in Niigata on Saturday
Manchester United midfielder Keane was sent home last week by Ireland manager Mick McCarthy after the pair had a furious row and only finally ended speculation he would return on Wednesday.
Manchester United midfielder Keane was sent home last week by Ireland manager Mick McCarthy after the pair had a furious row and only finally ended speculation he would return on Wednesday.
But Cameroon team manager Andre Nguidol said Ireland would be even more motivated to show they could compete without their inspirational captain and so prove their critics wrong.
« Some people think this is a very big advantage for Cameroon but we don’t agree, » Nguidol explained.
A team is a team. It’s 11 players, not one player. Ireland will come up with a strategy and will no doubt play even harder now that Keane is not with them.
We have to be careful and prepare ourselves. Even without Keane, it’s still the World Cup and Ireland are still one of the best sides. »
Cameroon have had build-up problems of their own – a row over bonuses and flight difficulties meant they were five days late arriving in Japan.
