Cameroon head to South Africa for their sixth appearance in a World Cup tournament, and having never made it further than the quarter finals which they did in 1990, will hope to make this year their tournament. Making it to the quarters was an achievement no other African nation had reached, although in 2002 Senegal equalled the feat, and Cameroon head into the tournament as the highest ranked African nation according to FIFA – and pride themselves as a team to beat.
Cameroon head into the tournament as the highest ranked African nation according to FIFA – and pride themselves as a team to beat.
After missing out on the 2006 World Cup, Cameroon had a relatively smooth qualification route to South Africa this time around. Although they started their campaign slow, Cameroon managed to turnaround a lacklustre string of performances to end up conceding just two goals in their last six fixtures, which makes them one of the leading African nations to come into the 2010 World Cup.
The African heavyweights have been drawn in Group E where they will face European giants Holland, Denmark and Japan in what is set to be a tough group. The Netherlands are the favourites to top the group which is an almost certain assumption with the form they have been showing, while Denmark provide Cameroon with the toughest competition when it comes to the second spot. If all goes according to the stats, the first knockout stage will see Cameroon come up against the defending champions Italy in what will be a tough draw.
Cameroon’s Group E Schedule
No. |
Date |
Match |
Location |
Kick-Off (Local) |
Kick-Off (AEST) |
| 10 | 14.06.10 | Japan V Cameroon | Free State Stadium, Johannesburg | 16.00 | 00.00 (15.06.10) |
| 26 | 19.06.10 | Cameroon V Denmark | Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria | 20.30 | 04.30 (20.06.10) |
| 44 | 24.06.10 | Cameroon V Netherlands | Green Point Stadium, Cape Town | 20.30 | 04.30 (25.06.10) |
KEY PLAYERS:
SAMUEL ETO’O (CAPTAIN)
Born: 10.03.1987 in Mkon, Cameroon
Height: 1.80 metres
Position: Forward
Club: Inter Milan, Serie A
International Debut: Vs Costa Rica (09.13.1997)
Samuel Eto’o was the youngest player to ever represent his nation when he debuted at the age of 15, and has made his claim as one of the more pivotal players in the side, producing fear from any opponent he comes up against with his world class skill. Playing in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Eto’o was the youngest player in the tournament, and scored the winner in the only game Cameroon won in the 2002 World Cup, and finished the top scorer for his nation in the qualification process.
ALEX SONG
Born: 09.09.1987
Height: 1.85 metres
Position: Midfielder
Club: Arsenal FC, English Premier League
International Debut: Vs Egypt (2008)
Alex Song will be heading to South Africa embarking on his first World Cup finals campaign, and will hope to make a strong impact for Cameroon. The 2008 African Cup of Nations was Song’s first appearance in an international tournament, where he was pivotal in defence for the African nation and named in the Tournament Best 11, setting himself as one of the key players for the team in the upcoming World Cup.
GEREMI FOTSO
Born: 20.12.1978 in Bafoussam, Cameroon
Height: 1.80 metres
Position: Defender
Club: Ankaragucu, Luper Lig
International Debut: 1996
Geremi heads to South Africa as one of the most experienced players in Cameroons squad, and with his obvious talent and experience will be pivotal in inspiring his side on the pitch. Geremi was a part of the side to win Gold in the 2000 Olympic and has also claimed two African Cup of Nations title – in 2000 and 2002. Having played alongside some of the best players in the world at the best clubs in the world during his career, Geremi will no doubt have many tricks up his sleeve for the African side.
CAMEROONIAN SQUAD
Position |
Name |
| Coach | Paul LE GUEN |
| Goalkeepers | Souleymanou HAMIDOU |
| Idriss KAMENI | |
| Guy NDY | |
| Defenders | Benoit ASSOU-EKOTTO |
| Sebastien BASSONG | |
| Gaetan BONG | |
| Aurelien CHEDJOU | |
| GEREMI | |
| Stephane MBIA | |
| Nicolas NKOULOU | |
| Rigobert SONG | |
| Midfielders | Eyong ENOH |
| Jean MAKOUN | |
| Georges MANDJECK | |
| Joel MATIP | |
| Landry NGUEMO | |
| Alexandre SONG | |
| Forwards | Vincent ABOUBAKAR |
| Eric CHOUPO MOTING | |
| Achille EMANA | |
| Samuel ETO’O | |
| Mohamadou IDRISSOU | |
| Peirre WEBO |
