The crucial stage of the 2023 AFCON (African Cup of Nations) is set to kick off this Saturday with two intriguing matches, notably Nigeria vs. Cameroon. For Rigobert Song, the coach of the Indomitable Lions, who experienced a tumultuous group stage, things are looking up.
The Indomitable Lions, considered miraculous, will play in the AFCON 2023 Round of 16 this Saturday. After a mixed start to the competition with a draw (against Guinea) and a defeat (against Senegal), Cameroon narrowly escaped against Gambia in injury time to qualify. For Rigobert Song, who is going through a highly eventful AFCON with criticism coming his way, it’s a sigh of relief. Now rejuvenated, the Cameroonians aim to present a different face in the Round of 16 against Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
The complete squad
Just hours before this crucial match that will send a heavyweight home, Rigobert Song records interesting news. After rumors about the health issues of key players like Jean Charles Castelleto and Kévin Nkoudou, who allegedly suffer from malaria, the Cameroon team trained calmly on Friday night. For this final session of work and tactical adjustments, no absences were noted in the Cameroon camp, with the announced players, who were affected by malaria and uncertain for the Nigeria match, present.
For players injured well before the start of the competition but crucial for Cameroon, such as Vincent Aboubakar and Clinton Njie, things are going well. For the big clash on Saturday, Song can count on all his men. This is a crucial point not to be overlooked, as the Indomitable Lions have never been at full strength since the start of AFCON 2023.
The thorny issue of goalkeepers
Against a team like Nigeria, with immense attacking qualities, a solid team is needed from the goalkeeper to the attack. Speaking of goalkeepers, Rigobert Song has the fortune of having two great goalkeepers in this competition. If the balance tips towards Fabrice Ondoa, who had two good matches resulting in a draw and a victory, the Cameroonian coach can rely on André Onana, who is more committed than ever to the team’s collective performance.
Benched against Gambia, the Manchester United goalkeeper behaved well on the bench, encouraging his teammates on the field. This attitude dispelled rumors of a certain division within the group. In a press conference on Friday to discuss the match against Nigeria, Song expressed delight in the versatility at the crucial goalkeeper position and the observed cohesion between the two candidates for the position. “I have no problem with my goalkeepers. They are all competitive and ready to respond when they need to play. There is no controversy. They get along very well,” he said.
Samuel Eto’o still present
Despite the pressure around the Cameroonian team and rumors of tension between FECAFOOT (Cameroon Football Federation) President Samuel Eto’o and the Lions Indomptables’ manager for the recent mixed results in AFCON 2023, things seem to be going well. During the last training session of Song’s players to face the Super Eagles, the head of the Cameroonian football federation was indeed present to encourage his team. With a smile, cohesion appears to be total within the group.
“We have a very good relationship with him (Samuel Eto’o), and that’s what we need. He is always there encouraging us. There aren’t many presidents like him. We love him as he is. After all, he’s Samuel Eto’o,” said Faris Moumbagna during the press conference. In any case, the focus for now is on the overall cohesion on the Cameroonian side, and that is commendable. Against Nigeria, this will make the difference. Join us at 8:00 PM at the Houphouët Boigny Stadium to find out whether Cameroon or Nigeria will successfully advance to the quarterfinals.
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