Cameroon’s head coach, Rigobert Song, expressed optimism on Sunday, hoping that the Indomitable Lions would create history once again, just as they did in 1984 when they clinched their maiden Nations Cup title in Cote d’Ivoire.

Cameroon will kick off their Nations Cup campaign on Monday, facing Guinea in the Group C opener, which also features Gambia and Senegal.

“There is a historical connection between Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire,” Song told the pre-match news conference on Sunday.

“We were heroes in 1984, and I believe we should honor that history.”

“We are like a family. We won our first title here, and that’s why we visited the grave of the first president of Cote d’Ivoire upon our arrival.”

“Our aim is to progress far in the competition, and why not recreate history by achieving what we did in 1984? We didn’t come here just to participate.”

Regarding the match against Guinea, Song emphasized the significance of the opening games and acknowledged that his team faces a tough opponent.

“The initial matches in such competitions hold great importance,” he added.

“We will be prepared. All participating teams have specific goals.”

“Guinea is a formidable team, and we are well aware of who we will be facing. We will give our all.”

The Cameroon boss expressed his disappointment over the absence of striker Vincent Aboubakar, but assured that all other players are ready for the game.

“Aboubakar’s absence is a loss because he is a leader and has demonstrated his abilities over the years. However, the remaining players are prepared,” he concluded.

Source: ahram online

The 2024 Africa Cup of Nations is being staged in the west African country of Ivory Coast, and no team has been more successful in the region than Cameroon.

They won the first of five titles in 1984 when Ivory Coast previously hosted the biennial African football showpiece.

Among the winning team was forward Roger Milla, who went on to achieve fame at the 1990 World Cup when the Indomitable Lions became the first quarter-finalists from Africa.

Further Cup of Nations triumphs for the central African country in the west of the continent came in Nigeria in 2000 and in Mali two years later.

No other country has won the tournament three times in west Africa — Egypt and Ghana succeeded twice each and Nigeria and Ivory Coast once each.

The other Cameroonian successes were in Morocco in 1988, and in the neighbouring central African nation of Gabon seven years ago.

With Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, Napoli midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Besiktas forward Vincent Aboubakar in the squad, Cameroon are among the 2024 title favourites.

Aboubakar was the leading scorer at the 2022 finals in his homeland. He bagged eight goals, one less than record-holder Ndaye Mulamba netted for the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1974.

Staging a Cup of Nations is no guarantee that a country from the host region will emerge victorious.

North Africa has fared best with six victories from 11 tournaments followed by west Africa (4/9), central and east Africa (2/5 each) and southern Africa (1/3).

The 2024 edition kicks off on Saturday with a Group A clash between two-time champions Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau, whose three previous appearances failed to deliver a single victory.

On Sunday, Nigeria tackle Equatorial Guinea in the other Group A fixture, then record seven-time champions Egypt face Mozambique and Ghana meet Cape Verde in Group B.

Source: AFP

Martin Hongla will not be travelling with Cameroon for the AFCON 2023 (January 13-February 11, 2024). The defensive midfielder has not been called up by Rigobert Song.

Some in the country argued that this was a sanction, as the player would be guilty of stealing goods belonging to his teammates during the March 2023 gathering. The Indomitable Lions coach denied this.

“He never stole, there’s no problem. He’s a player I’ve known since the U23s, he’s like my son. Martin Hongla has never stolen, it’s simply a choice on my part not to call him up,” Rigobert Song insisted in comments relayed by So Foot.

Source: Sportsnewsafrica

Head coach of the Cameroon national team, Rigobert Song has named a provisional squad of 27 players likely to represent the Indomitable Lions during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Ivory Coast 2023.

The five-time champions, who last won it in 2017 are drawn in Group C alongside Senegal, Gambia and Guinea.

The provisional squad:

GOALKEEPERS: André Onana, Epassy quote, Simon Ngapandouetnbu, Fabrice Ondoa

DEFENDERS: Jean-Charles Castelletto, Harold Moukoudi, Oumar Gonzalez, Darlin Yongwa, Nouhou Tolo, Christopher Wooh, Enzo Tchato, Junior Tchamadeu, Malcolm Bokele

MIDFIELDERS: Yvan Neyou, Olivier Kemen, Olivier Ntcham, André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Wilfried Nathan Douala, Benjamin Elliot Njongue

FORWARDS: Karl Toko-Ekambi, George-Kevin Nkoudou, Vincent Aboubakar, Faris Pemi Moumbagna, François-Régis Mughe, Frank Magri, Leonel Ateba, Clinton Njié

All selections are provisional until the final list of 24 players is announced by CAF after the submission deadline on Wednesday, 03 January.

Source: CAFonline

Former Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto’o is reportedly working on luring Yann Bisseck to Cameroon for the African Cup of Nations.

The 42-year-old played for the Nerazzurri between 2009 and 2011, forming a deadly attacking partnership with Diego Milito. He won the historic treble during his maiden campaign at Appiano Gentile.

Today, the Barcelona legend serves as the head of the Cameroonian Football Federation.

Therefore, the retired striker will be looking to bolster his national team’s ranks ahead of the upcoming African Cup of Nations.

AFCON 2023 will take place in the Ivory Coast between January 13th and February 11th.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport via FcInterNews24, Eto’o has contacted Bisseck asking him to join the Indomitable Lions.

The former Nerazzurri star even called the club to inquire about the player’s qualities.

The 23-year-old was born in Koln and has been representing the German national team through various age ranks. He currently plays for Germany U21.

But since he has yet to make his senior debut, he can still change his international allegiance and join his country of origin.

Source: sempreinter

Samuel Eto’o was clearly unaware of the publication of a book dedicated to the first two years of his presidency at the head of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), written by journalist Jean-Bruno Tagne, who was once his campaign manager.

The title, “L’arnaque” (“The scam”), is quite evocative and should make the former captain and striker of the Indomitable Lions sit up and take notice.

In it, the author discusses the campaign, Eto’o’s first two years and the broken promises, the numerous affairs that have rocked the body, the organization of competitions, as well as FECAFOOT governance and the “very personal” exercise of power. The interested party’s reaction should not be long in coming…

Source: Sports news africa

A team comprising former star footballers of Cameroon beat ex-Nigeria players 3-1 in a testimonial game on Thursday evening.

In front of over 10,000 spectators at the Omnisport Stadium in the seaside resort town of Limbe, Julius Aghahowa netted the sole Nigerian goal for the Jay-Jay Okocha-led squad.

Samuel Eto’o, Bernard Tchoutang and Ndip Tambe scored for Cameroon to overpower Nigeria in a match billed as a repeat of the 2000 African Nations Cup final in which Cameroon defeated Super Eagles on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

“Quite an entertaining game and it would have been a wonderful coincidence if the result was the same as the original 2000 final. These legends can still play in championships today,” Nigerian supporter Emeka James who watched the match said.

Cameroonian supporter Michael Jaaba was particularly enthused about seeing legends such as Samuel Eto’o and Jay-Jay Okocha.

“They did not disappoint us. We enjoyed the gala match,” he said.

Cameroon organized the game as part of activities to mark International Plantain Festival, which will be officially launched in the country on Friday.

Source: Xinhaunet

PSG’s young striker Hugo Ekitike (21) is in the sights of the Cameroon Football Federation. Samuel Eto’o is considering a meeting with the player, who has already played for France’s U20s.

His lack of playing time with the reigning French champions has not discouraged the Indomitable Lions, who intend to convince him to join their squad for the 2023 African Cup of Nations, according to the French press.

Source: Sports News Africa

Cameroon defeated Mauritius 3-0 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers at home on Friday night.

The Indomitable Lions put pressure on the visitors right from the start during the game held at the Japoma Stadium in Douala.

It paid off when Bryan Mbeumo scored a late first-half goal, while Georges-Kevin Nkoudou and Frank Magri also scored in the second half despite the absence of the injured captain and striker Vincent Aboubakar.

“We are pleased with the result, but the journey ahead is long. We will continue to work hard to achieve our goal of qualifying for the World Cup,” Cameroon’s head coach Rigobert Song told a post-match press conference.

Cameroon face Libya next Tuesday. Group D also includes Cape Verde, Angola and Eswatini.

Source: Xinhuanet