Schafer Faces Sack As Yaounde Restructures Lions (09.07.2002)
Cameroon coach Winfried Schafer is set to become the latest World Cup casualty after government officials met FA representatives in Yaounde and agreed that a complete overhaul of both provincial and national-team coaches was required.
The meeting was ordered by the Cameroonian minister for sport Pierre Bidoung Mpkatt to pinpoint the problems that led to the Indomitable Lions` disappointing World Cup campaign.
Mpkatt cited "player indiscipline" as a major factor, although it is the coaching staff who are now likely to pay the penalty.
It is understood that the government chief has recommended the entire Cameroon coaching team be replaced, while the administrative set-up will also be revamped.
However, Cameroon`s failure to
qualify from their World Cup group so soon after winning the African Nations Cup in Mali is also likely to have an impact on the domestic game, with Mpkatt calling for a re-organisation of the provincial coaching system.
It was also recommended that, in future, players` ages are medically verified, while the organisation of domestic youth tournaments will be investigated.
All 23 members of Cameroon`s World Cup squad were invited to attend the meeting, although only three - Patrick Suffo, Geremi and Carlos Idriss Kameni - turned up.
Real Madrid wing-back Geremi spoke out on behalf of the team and pleaded with the public to show patience. "It was a time for us to learn our lessons and find solutions to prevent similar errors in future," he explained.
