AFCON 2021 : Hosts Cameroon, Look To Close In On Egypt

By Ngome Michael

Another European National, Antonio Conciecao leads a new generation of Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions aiming to defend the Green, Red and Yellow on home territory for first time in almost fifty years.

It is the Central African Nation’s second time in two successive years to welcome the continent to her doorsteps all through the beautiful game of football.

Cameroon early in 2021 braved odds of the Covid-19 Pandemic to stage a successful 2020 African Nations Championship in which the Young Atlas Lions of Morocco beat Mali in the finals.

Despite sealing a place in the final phase by virtue of hosting, the ride through Group F back home was far from an easy task.

In six qualifier games played against Cape Verde, Rwanda and Mozambique, the Lions backed home three victories, a draw with a single defeat against the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde in Pria.

Nicolas Mouni Ngamaleu, Vincent Aboubarkar, Clinton Njie and Frank Zambo Anguissa scored on separate occasions to make up Cameroon’s qualifier goal records to 8goals scored with four conceded.

The years 1984, 1988, 2000, 2002 and 2017 will forever remain indelible to the Cameroonian football fraternity.

With the first ever trophy lifted 14years (1984) after debut in 1970, Cameroon dug deep into the heart of Africa soccer to conquer the continent once again in 1988 after ending as runners up in 1986.

It took six years for the golden generation of Patrick Mboma Ndem, the emblematic Regobert Song, Alioum Boukar and current all time scorer, Smauel Eto’o to stun the continent in 2000 against eternal foes Nigeria 4-3 on penalties and Senegal 3-2 penalties in Mali- 20002.

From 2002 to 2021, Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions have participated in two finals lossing to 1-0 Egypt in Ghana 2008, staging 2-1 revenge 9years later in Gabon.

In 19 AFCON appearances, Cameroon disputed seven finals lifting the coverted prize in five occasions.

Key Players

Vincent Aboubarkar. The Al Nassar and former FC Porto skipper is one of the players count on for fireworks in January. With over 144 munites between his three qualifiers goals, the 29-year-old has a 79% shorts on target rate.

Karl Toko Ekambi. Scorer of the lone goal which took Cameroon to the FIFA World Cup Play-offs, Toko rubshulders with UEFA Europa League top scorers with Olympic Lyounaise.

Nicolas Mouni Ngamaleu. The YSC Young Boys attacker has started in every game under Conciecao. With a total of ten goal contributions for Cameroon, 2goals and 8assists Ngamaleu is expected to be an architect of perfect setpieces and crosses.

Group A is a tricky sanctuary of determination and planns of upsets. Expected to be fully inspired by their last 2-2 draw with Champion Alegeria, the Stallions of Burkina are planning nothing short from a tug of war come January 09 at the Olembe Stadium.

Having shown how deep they can bite, the Blue Shakes of Cape Verde will be hoping to leave a mark in Cameroon by defying odds for a place in the knockout stages.

An 11th appearance for Ethiopia and first since 2013, the 1962 winners are a package yet to be unveiled for a proper view of its content.

As pride and honour will have it, fans of the Indomitable Lions remain upbeat for a place in round two. However, as modern day football has made it to be, it is the 90th minute that justifies the means.