Cameroon – Cote D’Ivoire Preview

After claiming an outstanding two-goal victory over DR Congo in the first match day, Cameroon will cross paths with familiar foes Cote D’Ivoire in Yaoundé on Wednesday.

After recently making important changes to his outfit, Cameroon coach Volker Finke returned from his trip to DR Congo with a 2-0 win in the first round of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying group phase.

The German manager is currently enjoying kudos from fans and officials ahead of their home match against one of Group D’s top favourites, Cote D’Ivoire, whom the Indomitable Lions have historically dominated at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde, where both sides will lock horns on Wednesday.

Shrugging off the Elephants challenge would open the floodgates to perhaps a smooth run across the rest of the campaign, notably against Sierra Leone which the Cameroonians would count on to seal a stiff lead, ahead of their two remaining tough games against DR Congo and Cote D’Ivoire in reverse fixtures.

Finke relied more on individuality against the Leopards but could switch to adopt a more collective style while facing a star-studded Ivorian side on Wednesday in order to avoid nasty surprises and in an attempt to conclude the meeting in good terms.

Eric-Maxim Choupo, Vincent Aboubakar and Clinton Njie were awesome for Cameroon against DR Congo, especially while working through the flanks, but the Elephants’ midfield has been doing a great job falling back to fortify their defence and cutting off progress from opponents and this they could repeat in Yaoundé to keep Stephane Mbia and company at bay.

Cote D’Ivoire coach Herve Renard was not satisfied with his team’s outing against Sierra Leone despite topping off a 2-1 win. The Frenchman blamed his players for sluggishness and scattered actions instead of seizing the midfield.

Once more, individual exploits from the likes of Doumbia Seydou of CSKA Moscow and Gervinho saved the Elephants from a home loss, but that may not work against a better and stronger team like Cameroon.

Renard would likely prepare his men to hold, use the ball and prevent the Indomitable Lions from constructing play in the middle, easily releasing pacy Eric-Maxim Choupo deep upfield.

Yaya Toure and Cheick Tiote will be highly solicited by Renard to maintain the play in midfield to frustrate Cameroonian efforts and progress, while setting up Gervinho and Salomon Kalou from the sides to shake down the Lions’ defence.

Predictions for the match seem very scary, but Cameroon appear to be in a better disposition to carry the day if we judge by the team’s current momentum.

But banking only on historic advantage to overcome Cote D’Ivoire could turn out to be a disaster for the home side.

Renard is longing to show his real side to Ivorians after a lacklustre maiden outing at the Abidjan stadium, perhaps he could have an ace time in Yaoundé on Wednesday.