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Mboma shines Togo believes it can make Nations Cup historyPosted: Monday January 28, 2002 6:22 PMSIKASSO, Mali (Reuters) -- Modest Togo, who have never progressed beyond the first round of the African Nations Cup in four previous attempts, believe they can upset Cameroon and break their duck on Tuesday. Togo, Ivory Coast and Democratic Republic of Congo all go into Tuesday's closing group C matches with a chance of finishing second and following Cameroon into the quarterfinals. Curiously, all three teams are looking to score their first goal of the competition. The four matches in the group have produced only two goals between them -- both scored by Cameroon, who top the table with a maximum six point and have already made sure of top spot. Togo have two points from their scoreless draws with Ivory Coast and Democratic Republic of Congo and will go through if they can pull off a repeat of their shock win over Cameroon in the same tournament two years ago. Cameroon, who were already qualified on that occasion as well, went on to win the tournament. "I think we are going to win on Tuesday to qualify," said Togo's Austrian-based defender Eric Akoto. Cameroon are promising that they will not relax despite their privileged position. The Indomitable Lions are still trying to find their form as they attempt to retain the title they won in Ghana and Nigeria two years ago and admit their first two performances have left much room for improvement. "We are still trying to find our rhythm, we have a lot of ambitions, we are here for an objective which is to win the title again, we are still on the right path," said Real Madrid's Geremi Fotso Njitap. "All teams rise to the occasion when they play us," he added. No road connection Cameroon and Togo will remain in the southern town of Sikasso, a center of Mali's cotton industry, while Ivory Coast and DR Congo have been dispatched to Kayes in the extreme west -- known for being one of the hottest places in Africa. Congolese officials insist that Monaco striker Shabani Nonda, who flew back to France last week with flu, could rejoin the squad for the game. The teams traveled in planes specially chartered by the organisers but Ivorian journalists were faced with a five-hour drive to Bamako, followed by 12 hours on a rickety train to reach a town which has no paved road connection with the rest of the country. Ivory Coast will be especially keen to avoid first round elimination. Two years ago, the team was knocked out in the first round and then flown to a military camp where the entire squad was detained for a week by the then military government. The players were forced to frog march and were given lectures in patriotism. Players said they do not fear a repeat this time. In Cup short on star quality, Mboma shinesSIKASSO, Mali -- Among the many stars hoping to impress at the African Cup of Nations, Cameroon's Patrick Mboma is one of the few to have actually delivered. Almost single-handedly, the powerfully built Parma striker has kept the Indomitable Lions on track for a second straight continental title by supplying the lone, winning goal in each of their first-round matches. He delivered a breathtaking volley from outside the area to beat Congo (Zaire) 1-0 and Ivory Coast was defeated with the same score after he netted an 86th-minute header. Although Mboma's goals meant Cameroon was first to reach the quarterfinals, the narrow wins against weak opposition were unsettling with the World Cup just four months away. "From a selfish point of view, I'm happy I scored two goals," Mboma told The Associated Press before Tuesday's final first-round game against Togo. "But I'm quite disappointed with our efficiency in attack. I would have bet we would have scored four or five goals by now." Cameroon is seeking a record-tying fourth African title, but its first in the same year it goes to the World Cup. In 1982 and 1990 the Lions failed to make it past the first round while in 1998 they exited in the quarterfinals. They failed to qualify for the 1994 edition. Mboma believes victory in Mali, added to Cameroon's 2000 African and Olympic titles, would be a major boost ahead of soccer's top event. "Winning the African Cup would help us scare our opponents in Japan," Mboma said. "Being on top of our continent is a huge source of pride." In first round group games at the World Cup, Cameroon plays Ireland on June 1 in Niigata, Japan, and meets Germany and Saudi Arabia. Germany and Ireland scraped through to the World Cup finals via playoffs while the Indomitable Lions sailed through qualifying, suggesting they are well-placed to at least finish second in their group and reach the second round. Saudi Arabia's team is not widely considered a threat. "It's not an easy group, but I prefer it to having Argentina or France," Mboma said. "We're not afraid of our opponents, but that doesn't mean qualification for the second round is already settled." Mboma says being coached by a German, Winfried Schaeffer, is a big advantage for the Cameroonians, who have suffered from lack of team discipline and tactics in the past. "Having a German coach helps bring some of the rigor that is missing from African soccer," he said. "We have technical and physical qualities. If you add German rigor, that's an extra bonus." Schaeffer joined the team last September after a summer of uncertainty that saw three coaches come and go. "We are back on track with Winfried. We're going to try to be winners to erase the months of upheaval," Mboma said, although he admitted it was sometimes difficult to communicate with Schaeffer because of a language problem. "He speaks to us in German and his assistant coach translates," Mboma said. "He understands English, so we can speak to him directly. "Sometimes it feels like we have to say two sentences instead of one," to be understood by the coach." With two major competitions this year, 31-year-old Mboma is enjoying the prime of his international career. He broke into the game late, joining his first big club, Paris Saint-Germain, aged nearly 20. He struggled to find a regular starting spot at the French side, largely because of direct competition from David Ginola and George Weah. After repeated loans to other French clubs, he quit PSG in 1997 for a place with Japanese side Gamba Osaka. The surprise move paid off and Mboma finished top of the goal-scorers' standings in the J-League. A move to Serie A Cagliari followed, then a transfer to fellow Italian club Parma in 2000 when Cagliari was relegated. Mboma's career with Cameroon has also been bumpy. "I should have played in the 1994 World Cup, but I was left out at the last minute," he said. "For two years I refused to go back to the team because I was upset. I lost some time, but I don't regret it." The French-raised forward was back in the national side in time for Cameroon's crowning glory, victory over co-host Nigeria in the 2000 African Cup of Nations followed by gold at the Sydney games. The twin titles helped Mboma's selection as player of the year for 2000 by the African Football Confederation. Although Mboma has earned wide recognition for his international feats, he feels undervalued at Parma, where he has spent much time on the bench. "I don't get recognition for my true worth," he said. "For example, with the match against Ivory Coast, if that was in Italy I would have been taken off the field after an hour. "It's up to me to be more consistent, but with time I think I can prove myself." Mboma said he was "very happy" to play in Italy but would be interested in moving to England when his contract with Parma runs out in 18 months. "I'd like to try to play in England. It's a country that has always fascinated me in terms of soccer," said the father of four. "If asked which club I would like to play for, I would say Manchester United or Arsenal."
The Associated Press contributed to this report. |
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