When Samuel Eto’o took over as president of FECAFOOT, Cameroon’s football governing body, the legendary forward was seen as a high-profile ex-player taking up a retirement job.
Several months later, the administration of the three-time CAF best player delivered a World Cup slot for Cameroon.
The 41-year-old watched on as the Indomitable Lions gave a good showing during the AFCON 2021 tournament they hosted in January 2022, while also appointing Rigobert Song, another legend, to take the reigns as the coach.
Song’s short time on the job has seen him work closely with Eto’o on squad improvement, adopting the dual nationality model to ensure Cameroon look formidable in Qatar. Players such as Georges-Kévin Nkoudou, Christopher Wooh, Bryan Mbuemo and Nicolas Nkoulou, among others with French nationality, form the core of players, dubbed the Eto’o project, that will represent Cameroon in its eighth appearance at the World Cup.
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How they got here
Cameroon required a 1-0 win over mighty Cote d’Ivoire on the final day of the qualifiers to win Group D before scoring deep into extra time through Karl Toko-Ekambi to defeat Algeria 2-1, thereby qualifying on away goals following a 1-0 reverse in the first leg.
Players to watch
The squad is packed with quality players from midfield to defence, with Andre Onana serving as safe hands in goal. Vincent Aboubakar’s eight goals took Cameroon to third place at AFCON 2021, while the veteran striker is ably supported by the equally experienced Toko-Ekambi who won the silver ball with five goals.
Arguably the player to watch in this team is André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, the central midfield lynchpin who has been at the heart of Napoli’s excellent run in Serie A and Champions League this season. With 42 caps to his name, the 27-year-old is also a senior squad member and his box-to-box energetic displays could prove vital in Qatar.
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Throw in the veteran Eric-Maxim Choupo Moting who has a knack for finding the odd goal, and Cameroon could be set to cause a few upsets in Qatar.
How far can they go?
Ranked 43rd in the last FIFA ranking, the Indomitable Lions are in Group F with Brazil, perennial World Cup favourites, but the presence of Serbia and Switzerland could prove to be a positive omen for the West African nation that has failed to go past the group stage in its last four appearances at the Mundial.
While Eto’o hopes this team will equal the giddy heights of the quarter-final place achieved at Italy ‘90, the likelihood of facing Portugal or Uruguay in the Round of 16 could signal the end of the lofty ambitions of these Lions.
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