Cameroon’s Broos plots for SA

New coach Hugo Broos will wait until after the two matches against SA later this month to make the changes he wants to see in Cameroon’s national team setup.

The Belgian was a surprise selection in January to take over as coach of the Indomitable Lions and has big plans to restore the country to its status among the continent’s most successful sides.

But he will not be implementing too many changes as he goes into his first assignments — the double header against SA in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at the end of the month.

"I’m not looking at bringing in new players," he told French magazine Jeune Afrique. "The games, which allow us to almost make sure of our qualification, should not be used to experiment."

Cameroon host SA in Limbe on March 26 and meet Bafana Bafana again three days later in Durban.

SA must win both matches to stand any realistic chance of securing top place in Group M and qualifying for the 2017 finals in Gabon. Any other outcome puts Cameroon firmly in the driving seat.

"We will see later what new players we can bring in, if necessary. But I’m staying now with the players who have competed before, even if some of them are not getting much game time at club level," Broos said.

The new man, a former title winner in Belgium with both Anderlecht and Club Brugge, is promising a tough regimen.

"First, I am a coach who likes attacking play, but I do not neglect the importance of a good defensive base. I’m more of a severe kind of coach. I like discipline, without which it is difficult to achieve results," he said.

"I want to inspire in the national team of Cameroon the same revolution that has happened in my own country, Belgium, where, for many years, players selected did not have much enthusiasm because the national team was not properly organised. But for the last six years, a new framework was established by the coach, Marc Wilmots, and now Belgium are one of the best teams in Europe.

"In Cameroon, we must do the same. Everything must be done professionally without having to worry about organisational issues, bonuses, etc. Everything must be paid in advance. I will be very clear on this point."