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'Cameroon football re-launched' Confident Cameroon enters new era as African champ
Posted: Monday February 14, 2000 11:44 AM
LAGOS (Reuters) -- Cameroon is back with a vengeance after ending years in the doldrums with an African Nations Cup final victory over Nigeria in a penalty shootout. That achievement has finally persuaded Cameroon's players they can fulfil the promise they showed ten years ago. The Indomitable Lions have flattered to deceive since 1990, when the memorable team led by Roger Milla became the first African country to reach a World Cup quarterfinal. More recently, they have earned more headlines for administrative chaos than the entertaining football that captured the world's imagination in Italy. Although Cameroon has reached the last two World Cups, it failed to win a game at either, picked up red cards galore and was plagued by internal bickering. "Cameroon football has been re-launched," said captain Rigobert Song, who fired the winning penalty in Sunday's shootout after a Nigerian effort was ruled out, although TV replays suggested it had crossed the line. "We have shown that we are a team of exceptional quality, and we have given Cameroon football its confidence back," added the Liverpool defender. "Today's generation has made history because we are really a solid team." His optimism appears justified. Song and Raymond Kalla, previously prone to red cards, emerged as the tournament's best defensive partnership. Teenage striker Samuel Eto'o, a reserve at Real Madrid, made his mark in style with four goals, the same tally as his fellow striker Patrick Mboma. Laurent Mayer, who was raised in Spain, had an outstanding tournament playing wide on the right, while Real Madrid's Geremi Fotso Njitap and West Ham's tough-tackling Marc-Vivien Foe won numerous midfield battles. Song, captain at 23, illustrates the way the team is maturing. After becoming the first player in history to be sent off in two World Cups in 1994 and 1998, he has managed to tame his urge for wild tackles. He is now the kingpin of a team which under Frenchman Pierre Lechantre has managed to combine physical strength, deft ball control and tactical discipline. Lechantre, assistant to compatriot Claude Le Roy at the last World Cup before being handed the reins, is as confident as his captain. He said: "Cameroon have found a great team that I am sure will go far from here. I think we have a fantastic group, they are a balanced team and they always respond to my appeals." Lechantre also remained aware of the pitfalls that can face Cameroon, whose football federation is still under FIFA intervention after years of scandals and allegations of corruption. "Our objective must be to avoid euphoria and continue working," Lechantre said. Cameroon begin its World Cup qualifying campaign in April with a one-off match at home to Somalia. The away leg in Mogadishu was scrapped for safety reasons. After that, it will contest a group of four from which only the winners will qualify for the 2002 World Cup.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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