The 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations is fast approaching, and the various teams are preparing for a great tournament in Côte d’Ivoire from 13 January to 11 February. Cameroon, who came third at the last edition, are starting their preparations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, under the auspices of Rigobert Song, national coach of the Indomitable Lions. But back home, some people are predicting a poor showing from Vincent Aboubakar’s team-mates. Such is the case of Sébastien Ebala, a well-known figure in the political landscape of Roger Milla’s country.
Cameroon is going through all kinds of emotions ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Following the absence of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting from Rigobert Song’s list, Régis Mughe, striker for Olympique de Marseille, also refused to honour his call-up in order to stay at his club. Then, of course, there is the matter of André Onana, who is expected to join the Indomitable Lions a little late. In any case, Rigobert Song has a number of issues to deal with before the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off.
Cameroon face a tough test at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Lodged in the group of death, the Indomitable Lions have to play three fairly formidable teams before they can hope to qualify for the last 16. Facing Senegal, Guinea Conakry and Gambia, Rigobert Song’s men must pull out all the stops.
Ebala Sébastien destroys Rigobert Song and announces failure at AFCON 2023
Since his appointment, Rigobert Song has been constantly called into question in Cameroon. Having achieved the impossible by qualifying the country for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, the local coach failed to get the best out of his players during the competition, which was won by Lionel Messi’s Argentina. He needed a great Cameroon performance on the final day of the qualifiers to qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, as the Indomitable Lions were clearly in trouble before the decisive final day.
According to well-known Cameroonian activist Sébastien Ebala, Rigobert Song does not have what it takes to take the Indomitable Lions far at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. In a long message that has already gone viral on social networks, he even warned his compatriots of the danger, as he sees Cameroon heading home very quickly.
“As I said, Rigobert Song doesn’t have what it takes to lead this team to the Africa Cup of Nations? Now that people want the shame of the century at any price, don’t come crying to me afterwards! The atmosphere is not good in this team. There’s a lot of corruption in the choice of players, too much favouritism and nepotism. The result is that there’s nothing new under the sun,” says Sébastien Ebala.
“The equipment is not available on time; each of us looks at the ceremony of handing over the flag at the Palais polyvalent de sport how it was completely empty; the lack of serenity around the national selection; a corrupt incompetent technical staff; a head of the federal executive goes to war with almost everyone. In conclusion, the Ivory Coast expedition is set to fail. May the Lord God Almighty bless Cameroon,” he wrote.
Cameroon have always impressed at the Africa Cup of Nations
In the history of the Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon has always come out on top. As the second most successful team in the competition, Rigobert Song’s men have always been able to sublimate in this competition. And Claude Leroy, former coach of the Indomitable Lions, knows all about it.
Appearing on Canal + Sport Afrique, the French technician nicknamed the white sorcerer made a rather interesting remark about Cameroon. “Cameroon are always expected at the Africa Cup of Nations. When you see the last champions, they don’t manage to impress at the next CAN, either they are eliminated or not qualified except Cameroon (champion in 2017, Cameroon came out of its group at the CAN 2019 and avoided the curse, editor’s note)”.
He is not wrong: Côte d’Ivoire, champions in 2015, did not qualify for the 2017 CAF Africa Cup of Nations. Algeria, who lifted the CAN in 2019, went out in the first round of the following CAN. For the moment, only Cameroon is resisting this curse.
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