ACTUALITE |
12.01.2006
Egypt 2006 : Indomitable Lions keen to roar back
No country will crave success in the 2006 African Nations Cup more than four-time champions Cameroon.
Success in the land of the pyramids will ease the pain triggered by the shock failure last October to make it five consecutive appearances at the FIFA World Cup™. Cameroon needed maximum points against out-of-contention Egypt in the Cameroon capital on a grey afternoon to clinch first place in the qualifying group ahead of long-time pacesetters Cote d`Ivoire.
And as the match crept into stoppage time deadlocked at 1-1, Cameroon were awarded a penalty which veteran midfielder Pierre Wome failed to convert, the ball striking the base of a post and rebounding. Meanwhile Cote d`Ivoire triumphed 3-1 in Sudan to regain first place and leave the Indomitable Lions eliminated.
"Cameroonians were so disappointed by our World Cup failure and now the pressure is on to deliver the Nations Cup. We have to conquer Africa," says Eto`o.
A place among the last eight seems secure as Cameroon are clearly superior to FIFA World Cup giantkillers Angola and Togo and the unpredictable Democratic Republic of Congo in Group B. But a showdown with hosts Egypt, Didier Drogba-inspired Cote d`Ivoire or 2004 runners-up Morocco looms in the quarter-finals, the stage where the Indomitable Lions slipped in Tunisia two years ago.
Strongly favoured to complete a hat-trick of titles after edging Nigeria in 2000 and Senegal two years later after penalty shootouts, Cameroon came unstuck against the Jay Jay Okocha-inspired Nigerian Super Eagles.
Eto`o is in sizzling form with Spanish league leaders Barcelona, scoring 18 goals in as many league outings and came third behind team-mate Ronaldinho and Chelsea midfield dynamo Frank Lampard in the FIFA World Player of the Year 2005 poll.
Another Spain-based striker set to spread fear in Egypt is Pierre Webó, who burst into the limelight with a hat-trick when Cameroon pipped Cote d`Ivoire in a five-goal Abidjan qualifying thriller. Webó claimed six goals during the 10-match campaign, two more than Eto`o, and the pair have the talent to upstage Drogba and Aruna Dindane, widely regarded as the deadliest strike force in Africa.
Geremi may not be a regular at runaway English Premiership leaders Chelsea, but he pulls the midfield strings for Cameroon while long-serving Song remains the rock on which the defence is built.
After creating off-the-field headlines in the last two editions of the Cup of Nations, first with sleeveless shirts and then a one-piece outfit, Cameroon certainly have the skill and strength to conquer Africa a record fifth time.
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Hits: 1 | Source:AFP | |
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