Lions Resume Training in Yaounde

The Indomitable Lions are expected to resume training this Tuesday at the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium in Yaounde. After playing a zero-all tie against Ukraine in a friendly on Sunday, June 2, the national selection regained the capital cityon Monday but were given a day off to rest today. The day of rest was granted by the new coach Volker Finke to enable the players recover not only from the friendly encounter against Ukraine but also from the long perilous journey from Kiev to Yaounde via Paris. The Lions are preparing for two upcoming crucial matches counting for the qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup to take place in Brazil. The first of the two matches will be on Sunday, June 9 in Lome against the Hawks of Togo while the second will be on June 16 against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Lions will be residing at the Mont Febe hotel in Yaounde, the CAF Excellence Centre in Mbankomo having been occupied by the Central African Team which is due to play their own World Cup qualifying match against South Africa on Saturday in Yaounde owing to security concerns in that neighboring country. The Lions will leave for Lome-Togo on the eve of the encounter on Saturday June 8 by a special flight and return to the country immediately after the encounter to continue preparations for the next match against D.R Congo.

The Lions are in pole position in the qualifiers for the World Cup, occupying the first ^position in Group I with six points ahead of Libya in the second position with five points. The Democratic Republic of Congo is third with four points and the Benjamin of the group is Togo with barely one point. Victory for the Lions in the next two matches will further consolidate their chances of qualifying for the third and last qualifying round of the world football jamboree. There are concerns the team captain, Samuel Eto'o Fils might not take part in the games as he is reported to have sustained an injury during the Russian cup final which Anji lost to CSKA in post penalty shoot-outs 3-4. However, Eto'o will be in Yaounde to have his injury evaluated by the medical staff of the national team. Only 17 of the 25 shortlisted players showed up for the friendly against Ukraine and there are fears the squad might not be complete for the upcoming matches.