Cameroon’s German coach Winfried Schaefer says he is convinced his Indomitable Lions will roar to the semi-finals of the World Cup.
(28th March 2002 | 11:12:58 AM. )
The boss made the claim after they came twice from behind to hold Argentina 2-2 in a friendly game in Geveva.
Real Mallorca’s Samuel Eto’o Fils and Patrick Suffo cancelled out Juan Sebastian Veron and Pablo Aimar’s strikes.
Schaefer, whose team are in the same group as Germany, Saudi Arabia and Republic of Ireland said: « We have only just got ourselves together after the African Nations Cup, so there is a little defect on motivation. But I am convinced this team will do better than the 1990 squad. »
Cameroon were knocked out by England at the quarter-final stage in Italia ’90, but this time the German insisted the Lions will go for broke.
He said: « This team obviously have more experience, are tactically aware and the fact that all the players are playing for top clubs abroad has given us a world-class dimension. »
Africa’s five World Cup flag bearers generally acquitted themselves well in midweek friendly games ahead of the World Cup with a win, three draws and a loss.
Aside South Africa’s 4-1 crash to Georgia, The other four showed promise.
Senegal were not at their best in Dakar but they pulled a 2-1 win over Bolivia, with Pape Diop and Mamadou Niang on target.
In England, a youthful Nigerian team held Paraguay to 1-1 draw and the Nigerian FA boss Dominic Oneya was upbeat, saying: « You can never predict the Super Eagles. This team can surprise a few in Korea and Japan. »
Tunisia, still reeling over the resignation of French coach Henri Michel, has not solved their attacking problems, but the defence held its own as they held Norway to a scoreless draw, a good start for local coaches Ammar Souayah and Kemaies Labadi.
