Why you can’t rule out Cameroon

They surprised many during qualification with their young and determined squad and this is why you cannot rule out Cameroon from winning Afcon 2015.

But, the Cameroon national team will first have to negotiate their way through a tough Group D of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) if they are to have any chance of lifting the trophy.

The Cameroon FA had targeted qualification for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) and thought the current crop of young players could not make it for the 2015 event.

But the determined young group of Indomitable Lions qualified well and could be seen as a dark horse this time around under the watchful eyes of Head Coach Volker Finke.

Although they were unbeaten during the qualifiers, Cameroon will now have to jump through three tough hurdles against fellow West Africa sides Ivory Coast, Mali and Guinea in the group stage.

Interestingly Cameroon were paired against Ivory Coast in the qualification stage and managed a goalless draw away in Abidjan and a 4-1 victory back home against the star studded side. The team managed four wins and two draws after conceding only one goal and scoring nine.

Life after Eto’o

After the retirement of the team’s former skipper and consistent goal scorer Samuel Eto’o, many had though the youthful team would struggle to get results.

But the young stars are hungry to prove a point and that desire is motivating them to get results and play good football.

With the likes of Olympique Lyon forward Clinton Njie and Vincent Aboubukar who proved they can get the goals for the Lions during the qualifiers, Cameroon have some exciting attacking talent.

Add the experience of Aurelien Cheudjou, Benjamin Moukandjo, goalkeeper Guy Roland Ndy Assembe and skipper Stephane Mbia, and the Indomitable Lions have what it takes to roar in Equatorial Guinea.

Cameroon have been African champions four times in 1984, 1988, 2000 and 2002.