ACTUALITE |
29.01.2006
No team can stop the Indomitable Lions in Egypt
monitor.co.ug
BENEDICT B. NYOMBI
KAMPALA
When Pierre Wome`s penalty in injury time penalty hit the post, the curtains came down on the longest-running show in African soccer.
Cameroon had failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 20 years. It was unthinkable. The sight of Samuel Eto`o on his back, wailing uncontrollably, pressing his hands to his face to smother the tears, was compelling and painful to watch.
But although the shambolic display of the traditional powers in the World Cup qualifiers somewhat convinced many a pundit that there was a prevailing shift in power, it appears those conclusions were wide off the mark. The Lions are roaring again.
Having edged out Cameroon for a ticket to Germany 2006, Ivory Coast have been dubbed by most as favourites to win the Nations Cup.
Unfortunately, their two hard earned wins have merely posed more questions than answers. The fact that Cameroon are under pressure to reclaim their lost fame can`t be overlooked. They are out to make amends after last year`s failures and few can doubt their capacity to beat any opponent. They have always pose a big peril to their opponents. Ivorians have not forgotten the 3-2 home defeat inflicted on them by a visiting Cameroon team that needed victory.
Wome’s spot kick miss may have taken the Ivory Coast to Germany 2006 but Cameroon’s statement of mental strength, experience and guile was made in Abidjan.
Cameroon have more prowess than any other team at the tournament.
They are better equipped than Ivory Coast not because of just ability but also the committment and passion with which their players play every time they are representing the country.
They have an unmatchable strength in all departments. Up front, Cameroon boast the world`s finest striker in Samuel Eto`o, who also has sufficient help Achille Webo (Osasuna) . In the centre of the park, they previously lacked a midfield engine but have since solved that with the pair of Saidou Alioum (Galatasaray) and Jean Makoun (Lille).
The defense is filled with familiar names: Timothée Atouba (Hamburg), Raymond Kalla (Sivasspor), Rigobert Song (Galatasaray), and Geremi Njitap (Chelsea), who many a time ventures forward.
Although some of these defenders like Song and Kalla are over thirty, they are still as solid as ever.
Espanyol`s classy Idliusou Kanemi may have been left out but so far, keeper Souleymanou Hamidou (Denizlispor) is proving a worthy replacement.
Tunisia, the defending champions, are a good choice, but then so is Egypt, the host team and a traditional power themselves. Senegal and Nigeria who also have the same motive as Cameroon could be dark horses but the 1990 World Cup quarter finalists are the team to beat.
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