ACTUALITE |
01.07.2004
Lions 6, Canon 1: Too Easy!
Yesterday’s victory cannot be used as a barometer to assess the might of the Lions.
The Indomitable Lions yesterday faced local side, Canon of Yaounde, as part of their preparations for next Sunday’s crucial World Cup/Nations Cup qualifier against the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire. The match at the Yaounde Omnisport stadium ended with the Lions whitewashing the Yaounde boys, 6-1. However, the crushing defeat cannot be used as a barometer to assess the might of Captain Song Bahanag and his mates.
The Canon team that faced the Lions was weak. It was therefore an easy ride for the Lions. The Canon defence was porous while the attack lacked steam. Through out the first half, for example, coach Nke’s boys did not as much as fire a shot at the Lions goal. A look at the stuff that the attack of Côte d’Ivoire is made of (Drogba, for example) is enough reason to think that goalkeeper Kameni or Soulemanou would not be at ease next Sunday as they were yesterday.
The Indomitable Lions started dominating from the first minute of the game. The curtain raiser by Wome Nlend came at the 16th minute. Four minutes after, Geremi Njitap drove home goal number two for the Lions through a penalty kick provoked by Atouba. As was the case during the last friendly encounter with Canon, Captain Song came up from the defence to drive home the Lions’ third goal, a header, at the 20th minute following a beautifully negotiated corner kick by Atouba. Shortly before half time, Tum Hervé increased the goal tally to four.
Coach Schäfer completely reshuffled his team for the second half. Mbami, Song, Atouba, Soulemanou and Tum gave way to Makoun, Fecheni, Abanda, Kameni and Wansi. Geremi and Ndeifi were latter replaced by Webo and Mokake, but not before Ndeifi drove home the fifth goal for the Lions at the 55th minute. The spectacle at the Omnisport stadium yesterday was, to say the least, amusing, especially in the last quarter of the match when Canon’s comic goalkeeper thrilled spectators by missing a penalty shot. The Canon defence also helped to increase the goal tally for the Lions as they sent home the sixth goal for Winfred Schafer boys following a badly orientated pass by the defence man. The lone goal from canon at the 67th minute just added more spice to the fun. However, many spectators left the stadium annoyed. Reason: they claimed that the Lions deserved a better choice for a friendly; a team that was more competitive. "Canon is weak. Such an encounter can send the Lions to sleep as it might give them the impression that they are good. Coton Sport could have been a better choice", one spectator said.
This notwithstanding, yesterday’s encounter gave coach Winfred Schäfer an opportunity to try a new team. The encounter certainly brought out the strengths and weaknesses of the 18 players who were given a chance to demonstrate their know-how. It is everybody’s wish that the coach would make judicious use of the talents at this disposal next Sunday to enable the Lions beat the Elephants who are presently leading Group Three of the 2006 World Cup/Nations Cup joint qualifiers with six points. A win will enable Cameroon, which occupies the second position with four points, to take over the command baton in the group.
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Hits: 1 | Source:cameroon-tribune.cm | |
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