ACTUALITE |
19.01.2006
Makoun and Djemba: "we are favourites"
Speaking exclusively to eurosport.com, Cameroon and Aston Villa midfielder Eric Djemba and Lille`s Jean Makoun are confident that his side can overcome their World Cup qualifying disappointment by winning the African Nations Cup in Egypt this month.
Cameroon failed to qualify for the World Cup from a tough group which saw a last-minute missed penalty at home to Egypt allow Ivory Coast a debut World Cup participation.
But Djemba is keen to move on and focus on putting in a good performance in this month`s African Nations in Egypt.
DISAPPOINTMENT
"Yes we are disappointed because eveybody was thinking about the qualification and we lost it at home so it`s a bit horrible.
"We just forgot about it and tried to move forwards. It was a bit like we got shot and everyone died after the penalty, I think it`s up to God and God had the last decision."
"We are just trying to build something, now everyone thinks about the African Nations. Because the African Cup... we lost the qualification and now we have another chance to do something and be happy so now we have to do everything we can to win the trophy in Egypt."
FAVOURITES
Djemba also believes Cameroon to be among the favourites, especially in the light of their disappointment.
"I think we`re favourites, and everyone knows, so we`ll just focus on that for the CAN and now we need to be concentrated to go in there and forget about the non-qualification. And I think we can do better things there."
Djemba is under no illusions as to the task ahead, facing two so-called minnows who themselves are going to Germany to contest the biggest prize in international football.
"It`s a hard group and everybody knows that. (Togo and Angola) are a little countries butnow they are playing in the World Cup and so they are very hard to play. So now we`ll just wait and see what happens there."
MAKOUN MOVING ON
Jean Makoun of Lille is inclined to agree with his international team-mate on Cameroon`s intentions.
"Now, it`s over...I hope we`ve all gone over it. That`s the reality of football. What happened happened. Everyone was very disappointed, we the players like the whole Cameroonian population. Now, we have to accept it, move on and hope the future holds better things for us."
Makoun is a touch more cautious than Djemba regarding his side`s chances, but with the likes of Barcelona star Samuel Eto`o (pictured) in the sqaud, still retains the confidence that has seen Cameroon four-time winners of the African Nations.
"We`re going to concentrate as well as we can to try to do better than last time around. We are going there to win it, but we can not say we will because we can not be sure."
PREPARATION
"Obviously, when Cameroon enter a competition, we are branded as favourites straight away. But we know it will be a tough competition this year, because all the best African teams are there. We need to prepare well and take one step at the time and first try to get past the group phase."
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Hits: 1 | Source:Eurosport | |
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