04 Octobre 2012

● In view of the limited time at his disposal to build a new team, the coach went further to show that he has confidence in most of the old players whom many thought their time was over.

Modeste Mbami against Brasil in 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup © AP

So, last Monday, Jean Paul Akono released a list of 26 players called up to prepare for the returning leg match against Cape Verde "Blue Sharks" scheduled for Sunday October 14, 2012. This list is comprised of some old players who had made their mark at the helm of the Indomitable Lions. Their invitation to play this very crucial encounter against Cape Verde comes on the heels of the poor performance demonstrated by the squad since 2009/2010. To eliminate panic and frustration for this high stake encounter, Cameroon must win Cape Verde by a score of at least 3-0.

A quick zoom at the squad reveals the return of Samuel Eto'o at the attack which would be a major moral and psychological booster up front. This would likely orchestrate pressure on the Cape Verde defense and the possibility of defensive errors may be an added advantage to the lions. If Achille Webo or Idrissou Mohamadou cannot assist Eto'o to bring us the highly expected hard trick up front, then Mr. Akono would have to blend the attack line with Aboubakar Vincent or Fabrice Olinga who is still to make his debut with the squad.

At the midfield, we expect serious fireworks from the trio, Alex Song, Jean II Makoun (in top form at the moment) and Archille Emana. The presence of these players is a big psychological booster to some new comers such as Willie Overtoom and Patrick Mevoungou who are currently leaving traces in the soccer stadiums of Holland and Austria respectively. Many still doubt the physical fitness of a player like Mbami Modeste who left relegated UD Almeria (Spain) last football season with little or no information about his where about and performance.

Also, the invitation of Wome Nlend to lend a supporting hand to the defense is another milestone of moral and psychological booster to remind football critics of how important this game is for Cameroon. Thanks for his acceptance to join the squad in camp on October 8, 2012 in Yaounde. However, the presence of players such as Nicolas Nkoulou, Henri Bedimo, Benoit Angbwa, Joel Matip, Gaetang Bong and Aurelien Chedjou is another good combination of flip footed defenders with convincing performance at the club level. Their performance is not that doubtful since most of the pairs have played together in more than five games with the Indomitable Lions.

For goalkeeping, Idris Carlos Kameni has not been in his best since the beginning of this football season. His performance during the game with Cape Verde at the away leg was not that convincing. The presence of Ndy Assembe and Joslain Mayebi would create a good competitive ground for the selection of the best goalkeeper. However, Kameni's presence will also be a good moral and psychological booster to the goalkeeping department whether he plays or not. It is expected that the coach will select the best goalkeeper who is up to the task on the d-day.

According to Mr Akono, "It is only through experience from these old players that Cameroon can defeat Cape Verde to be sure of qualifying for AFCON 2013". Given that it is a must win game, the coach insisted that he does not want to take chances and believes the players he has called up for the game are up to the task. The appointment of Jaque Songo'o as the trainer for goalkeepers yesterday adds another impetus to the rating of this return leg game against Cape Verde.

In view of the determination of the technical squad to ensure victory come October 14, 2012, Cameroonians of all works of life are called upon to give their maximum support to the indomitable lions so that we shall continue to savor one of the biggest crowd-pulling factor that leaves no Cameroonian indifferent.

Patrick Tanyi

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