ACTUALITE |
09.02.2002
Coachless Cameroon prepare for final Nations Cup assault
BAMAKO
A siege mentality has descended on Cameroon as the reigning African Nations Cup champions prepare to defend their crown against newcomers Senegal here Sunday.
After a trouble-free progression through the first phase, Cameroon`s route to the final has been dogged by one drama after another, culminating in bans for coaches Winfried Schafer and Thomas Nkono on Friday.
Schafer was given a one-match ban which will see the German barred from the dug-out and dressing room at the March 26 Stadium on Sunday, while goalkeeping coach Nkono was given a one-year ban.
The disciplinary measures followed the furore which erupted shortly before the `Indomitable Lions` semi-final against hosts Mali on Thursday, a match Cameroon went on to win 3-0.
Nkono was knocked to the ground by riot police, dragged from the pitch with his tracksuit trousers around his ankles and handcuffed before being led away and later released.
The respected former international had apparently been targeted after police suspected him of attempting to drop a `magic` charm onto the pitch, something denied by Cameroon.
Tournament officials said Friday Nkono had been removed from the field for violating regulations concerning his accreditation badge, and defended police officers` actions.
After other controversies in the week, which included a row over the team hotel and a training session that got underway in near-darkness after floodlights were not turned on, the bans on Schafer and Nkono have given Sunday`s final an added edge.
If Cameroon did not possess an `us-against-the-world` outlook before the tournament, it is a safe bet that they do now. The question is whether they will be able to turn the bans of Nkono and Schafer to their own advantage.
Against Mali, the champions did just that.
Riled by Nkono`s treatment, Cameroon put on their best performance of the tournament to sweep aside the hosts with two goals from Salomon Olembe and a late effort from Marc Vivien Foe.
"The team played for the honour of Cameroon and the honour of Thomas Nkono, which had been attacked before the kick off," Schafer revealed afterwards.
Skipper and central defender Rigobert Song, who has been immense at the back throughout, was even more frank. "What happened to Thomas made us determined to win," the Cologne and former Liverpool player said.
Meanwhile African player of the year and tournament topscorer Patrick Mboma, who missed the semi-final with a groin strain, is expected to be fit for Sunday`s final.
The turmoil surrounding Cameroon has inevitably deflected attention away from Senegal`s advance to their first ever African Nations Cup final.
Bruno Metsu`s talented side, made up almost exclusively of France-based professionals, stand on the brink of completing an extraordinary turnaround in Senegal`s football fortunes.
A few years ago, the west African nation was a mere blip on the continent`s footballing map. But Metsu`s arrival and a drive to draft all their Europe-based players into the national side have produced remarkable results.
Last year they qualified for their first World Cup, accounting for the scalps of powerhouses Morocco and Egypt along the way.
And at the Nations Cup in Mali last week they ended Nigeria`s hopes, digging in with only 10-men to score a thrilling 2-1 extra-time victory over the Super Eagles.
In El-Hadju Diouf, who plays for French league leaders Lens, they have a striker regarded as one of the best in Africa, and at the back they have also looked solid, with fullback Ferdinand Coly one of the players of the tournament.
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