ACTUALITE |
04.02.2008
Tunisia coach Lemerre wary of Cameroon`s attack force
TAMALE, Ghana (AP) - Tunisia coach Roger Lemerre faces a major goal threat on Monday against Cameroon in the African Cup of Nations quarterfinals.
With 10 goals in three games, Cameroon scored more than any other team in the group stage and its FC Barcelona striker Samuel Eto`o leads the tournament with five goals.
"I am aware of their qualities," Lemerre said. "Everything rests on one match. Nothing is won in advance."
Just three months into the job, veteran German coach Otto Pfister got off to a poor start with Cameroon when it lost to defending champion Egypt 4-2 in their opening Group C game. Only a late penalty by Eto`o made the score more respectable.
Eto`o has three penalties so far in the tournament and is the leading scorer in African Cup history with 16 goals.
Cameroon is bidding for its fifth title overall and first since 2002, and Pfister is confident the lessons have been learned from the loss to five-time champion Egypt.
"The worst is over for Cameroon," Pfister said. "We have made the necessary corrections and now we have to play to our maximum."
Lemerre has rebuilt from the Tunisia team that won the 2004 African Cup, giving youth a chance, with the result that the Carthage Eagles lack the experience and physical presence of Cameroon.
However, Cameroon`s midfield is sluggish and lacks the technique Tunisia has in players like Birmingham`s Mehdi Nafti.
Lemerre rested striker Francileudo Santos for the final Group D game against Angola, which ended in a 0-0 draw.
Only recently back to full fitness after a long-term knee injury, Santos had shown glimpses of his scoring form with two goals and an assist in a 3-1 defeat of Senegal.
The winner will play either host Ghana or Nigeria in Thursday`s semifinal match in Accra.
"The most important is the collective performance," Cameroon midfielder Alexandre Song said. "What interests me is that Cameroon goes as far as possible."
The 20-year-old Arsenal midfielder is new to the Cameroon team, but said he can learn fast.
"I am very happy to be in this team because there are good players like Eto`o and Geremi," Song said. "It`s good for my future to gain experience training with these players. It`s an opportunity for me. I`m very glad to be here."
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