Cameroon is facing all the emotions before its entry into contention at Afcon 2023 which starts this Saturday in Ivory Coast. Rigobert Song’s men recorded several withdrawals and uncertainties and that said absolutely nothing to Benjamin Moukandjo who still saw the Indomitable Lions lifting the trophy on the evening of February 11.
Rigobert Song faces several bad news before Cameroon’s entry into Afcon 2023. With André Onana deciding to join the team after Cameroon’s first match, the Indomitable Lions were informed of Vincent Aboubakar’s withdrawal , captain of the team. Added to this are the concerns surrounding Frank Magri 48 hours before Cameroon’s debut in this competition.
Faced with these problems, Rigobert Song, already criticized at home for having dismissed Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, must now prove to all of Cameroon the best tactician that he is. Faced with the withdrawals of Vincent Aboubakar and Bryan Mbeumo, the Cameroonian coach should count on Karl Toko Ekambi to lead the Indomitable Lions. Despite this, Benjamin Moukandjo, former captain of the team and now a consultant at BeIN Sports, remains rave about Cameroon.
Cameroon “will” still win Afcon 2023 according to Benjamin Moukandjo
Since his retirement, Benjamin Moukandjo has started a career as a consultant at beIN Sports. And for Afcon 2023, the one who raised it in Gabon in 2017 still thinks that Cameroon will be victorious despite all the problems that Rigobert Song faces. The former striker who played for Lorient is banking on the experience of Cameroon and above all on the DNA of the team which always manages to excel in major events.
“Cameroon is one of the greatest African nations, it has won five African Cup of Nations, the second most successful nation after Egypt (seven titles). It’s a team that knows, like Egypt, how to win a Afcon. To say that they are favorites is an open secret. When they arrive in a Afcon, it is to win it. Even when they are average in qualifying, they are good in decisive matches. We finished third in the last edition, we know the next objective! They will prepare well, I hope they will make us dream by bringing the trophy home! », he said and relayed by Actu Cameroun.
The other favorites and players to follow according to Moukandjo
The former Cameroonian striker, Benjamin Moukandjo also mentioned the other favorites for Afcon 2023. Even if he thinks that Cameroon will lift the trophy on the evening of February 11, the BeIN Sports consulate admits that it is quite difficult to take out one or two favorites from the competition.
“Because there are very, very good nations, a lot of competition. I could say Ivory Coast, which is playing at home and will be supported by an entire country during the competition. Otherwise, Senegal, obviously. The Senegalese will want to defend their title, they will be difficult to maneuver. On the outsiders’ side, we talk less about Egypt this year, but it’s a team that knows how to win, that knows this path and with seven Afcons, including three in a row, you always have to be wary of them”. he added.
Benjamin Moukandjo sees stars like Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen making a mark at the tournament in Ivory Coast. “I would have a special thought for Mohamed Salah who has never won a trophy with Egypt. I’m not going to include a Cameroonian, because people will say that I’m chauvinistic. So I’m going to say Victor Osimhen with Senegal. He has just won the African Ballon d’Or, he will have the heavy responsibility of supporting his country which has been seeking to win this competition for a long time,” he concluded.
Cameroon is in the death group alongside Senegal, Guinea Conakry and Gambia.
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