ACTUALITE |
31.01.2002
Patrick Mboma:We definitely want to win CAN 2002
We definitely want to win CAN 2002 : Patrick Mboma,striker Indomitable Lions` hit striker, Patrick Mboma says they are a new generation of players who want to win this year`s African Cup of Nations and break the myth that the Lions never perform well in Nations Cup competitions that fall in same year with the World Cup.
Mboma thinks that CAF should harmonise their
calendar with that of Europe in order that professoinal
players from Europe do not see their club careers
suffer in the conflict between club and country.
He says the future of his career depends on his
performance in CAN and World Cup 2002. He spoke to
Martin Etonge in Sikasso, Mali.
Two goals in two games in Mali 2002. Is it going to be
a special competition for you?
Hope it`s going to be special because we definitely
want to win the trophy for the second consecutive
time. We know it will be difficult. So we have to
concentrate all our energy and intelligence to achieve
our goal.
What is your analysis of the competition so far? What
are the difficulties?
I prefer to look in to the future because the past
was not glorious. Few goals have been scored. I expect
teams which will qualify for the second round to
change the situation because then it will be the knock
out system. So you must get the goals to knock out
your opponents.
What is the magic in your scoring beautiful and
determinant goals?
I don`t know if there is something magical about
scoring goals. I think I am just lucky in my role on
the pitch. I believe in what I do and with the help of
God, things are happening.
You were not in training the other day because you
were waiting for news from your wife in Italy who was
expecting a baby. The baby came successfully. Did that
situation disturb your concentration on the
competition?
It`s not easy to be away and not see the first
moments of your son. You can imagine my great anxiety.
My wife and I know it`s a big sacrifice for me to be
away. And to compensate our child we must win this
tournament. That too is extra motivation for me to
perform well.
The Indomitable Lions have always had a bad Nations
Cup when it is played in a World Cup year. When I
listen to you, it seems it will not be the case this
year?
I think it will be different this year. We the
players have talked to each other and vowed that what
happened in the past must not repeat itself during our
epoch. We are a new generation of players with new
ambitions. So we really want to win this tournament
before tackling the World Cup beginning in May 2002.
Are you satisfied with the organisation of CAN 2002?
The only thing negative about the competition is that
it runs during the peak season in Europe. You know
most of the players here play professional football in
Europe. This disturbs our club careers. So CAF should
harmonise the competition with the European calendar
to avoid the conflict between clubs and countries over
players.
CAF has decided that henceforth Nations Cup finals
will serve as qualifying tournaments for the World
Cup. Does that solve part of the problem?
I understand that it has only reduced the number of
games for national teams. It does not solve the
problem because Nations Cup finals will still be
organised during this period when European
championships are on. For me that decision has only
helped to put Africa`s best national teams in the
World Cup finals.
How does the future of your career appear?
The future of my career will depend on my performance
in CAN 2002, in my club Parme and the World Cup. First
of all I must do my best to win with the Lions before
looking ahead. I have one more year to go with Parme.
I can`t tell you what will happen. I just hope things
will be better for me. To continue to score more goals
and be happy.
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