Local Lions Begin Training in Mbankomo

Some 28 home-based players shortlisted for a training camp in view of injecting fresh blood into the Lion's squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil began training yesterday in Mbankomo near Yaounde. Initially billed for 10 a.m, the players started arriving at the CAF training centre in Mbankomo in little trickles as from 10.30 am, only to find the trainers were not yet available and therefore had to idle around the reception hall while waiting for the arrival of officials.

Quizzed on the issue, the assistant coach of the Indomitable Lions, Martin Ndtoungou Mpile said the late start of the camp was due to the fact that the shortlisted players took part in the 5th day of the League One championship and therefore need time to rally the training camp. More so he said the head coach of the indomitable Lions arrived in Cameroon just the night before and therefore needed to be briefed the training programme for validation before the effective beginning of training.

As to the outcome of the training camp, Ndtoungou Mpile specified that the essence was not only detecting home-based players for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil but also identifying talents for the eventual inclusion into the Lion's squad for the various categories of the national team for future events like the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. Effective training therefore began late in the afternoon yesterday under strict restriction from security officials and away from public view under the auspices of the head coach Volker Finke though the list was established by his assistant, Mtdougou Mpile.

Most of the players met at the site manifested pleasure at having been selected from the lot to defend the national colours and manifested the zeal to give their best of their ability. It would be recalled the training camp for home-based players was retained within the preparation programme for the Indomitable Lions for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with the aim of injecting fresh blood into the national selection. The training camp which began yesterday February 24 will end on February 28.