Lashing Macedonia 2-0 in a pre-World Cup friendly in Kufstein, Austria on Monday could be a sign that the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon are getting apt for the Brazil rendezvous. But is the victory really a sign that Cameroon could reach the second round of the competition?
Cameroon Coach Volker Finke says it is his greatest wish: “We really want to make it to the second round, that’s for sure,” he told AFP before Monday’s game. Finke indeed seem to have impressed many Cameroonians with the tact with which he is handling the team.
Some are of the opinion that he is truly up to the task. “Your training with the Lions is evidently yielding fruits before all, even your detractors.
Congratulations on the victory today against Macedonia, but more so your commendable focus on getting the Lions psychologically, physically, technically and tactically ready,” a supporter of Indomitable Lions said.
Cameroon, whose best performance in the World Cup was reaching the last eight in 1990, faces hosts and favourites Brazil as well as Croatia and Mexico in Group A of the tournament which kicks off on June 12. Though the pool has been tagged as one of the most deadly, the Lions remain upbeat.
Defender, Gaetan Bong, acknowledges the group will be “very difficult… but it will be interesting. We have to prepare well so when we get there, we’re tough and ready.” As for the Lion’s Captain, Samuel Eto’o, Cameroon respects all her opponents. “It is true that Brazil will be the most popular before its people and home fans, but I'm not scared of this team, we will not be scared of them,” he told CAF last week.
“In my career we have played against this team before. We beat the Brazilians at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. There was a certain Ronaldinho in the team and many others. Eto'o is not scared. Cameroon is not scared,” he added.
