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Nations Cup: Indomitable Lions Set to Roar (20.01.2006)
The Cameroonian side in Egypt is out to "proof its real worth".
The poor performance of the Lions at the 2004 African Cup of Nations finals, coupled with the poor output at joint eliminatories for the African Cup of Nations and World Cup has put to question the indomitability of the Lions. Although the team is still ranked number I in Africa by the world football governing body, sceptics are questioning if the Lions can still roar; if they are still "kings" of the jungle. The Cameroonian side in Egypt will therefore be out to "proof its real worth". The Lions are wounded. After the numerous disappointments, the only way the team can appease its fans is by grabbing the 25th African Cup of Nations.
The team’s greatest asset remains the wealth of individual talents that it possesses. The assistant team captain, Samuel Eto’o, is indisputably the best footballer on the continent and the third in the world. Cameroon’s squad at the Nations Cup has one of the highest concentrations of professionals in prestigious European leagues. Most of the players are also regulars at international competitions. Captain Song, Kalla, Kameni, Njitap, Djemba, for example have played several African Cup of Nations and World Cup finals. Added to this is the general believe that Cameroon was "blessed" in the draws. Advocates of this hypothesis base their argument on the fact that the Lions, pooled in Group B, alongside Angola, Togo and DR Congo, are more experienced and might likely grab one of the two available tickets for the knock out stage.
But Group B might actually turn out to be the most difficult because of the unpredictable nature of the game and teams. The two World Cup freshmen or upstarts, Angola and Togo, would certainly want to show the world that they are set to represent Africa at the global
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stage. Beating a World Cup regular, such as, the Lions would be a great booster. DR Congo will also not be an easy ride for Cameroon. As the first black African nation to make it to a World Cup final, the DRC will prefer to regain its lost honourable position on the African scene. Worth noting is the fact that it was in 1998 that the Simbas impressed supporters in the finals, finishing third and beat Cameroon along the way. Added to this is the fact that the Simbas are coached by Claude Leroy who knows Cameroon too well having served the Lions from 1985 to 1988 in the same capacity. If Cameroon were to qualify for the quarter finals, the knock-out matches would not be easy as the trophy is highly coveted. The other "heavy weights", whose dreams of participating in the World Cup were dashed also, have similar ambitions of offering the trophy to their fans.
Hard work should therefore be the watchword of the Lions. For, gone are the days when the name Indomitable lions alone could make adversaries tremble. The failure of the Lions to qualify for their fifth consecutive World Cup demystified the team. The mighty have fallen and their mediocre performances in the last two friendlies make them even more vulnerable. The Lions need to work hard and remain united if they must re-live those good old days.
Superiority complex, personality conflicts and managerial crisis are the weaknesses that can prevent the Lions from performing well at the 25th African Cup of Nations that begins today in Egypt. With a little more discipline, humility and hard work, the Indomitable Lions can dribble to the final of the 25th African Cup of Nations.
The task ahead for the Lions is therefore tremendous. The Nations Cup would serve as a gauge for the team that is still rightly or wrongly considered as Africa’s number one.
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