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Opinions of Lundi, 23 Juin 2014

Auteur: Cameroon Tribune

A Second Shameful Exit for Lions

It is no more a secret that the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon have been eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup competition. The Lions lost to Mexico on the first day of play 0-1 and 0-4 against Croatia on their day two outing. For now, though it is difficult to say with certitude what went wrong, three salient factors stand out clear.

The coach failed to take his responsibility, which is, selecting players who are fit for the competition and insuring discipline within the team. He allowed factions and club names to guide his choice of players. How on earth will a player or group of players choose teammates they wished to play with in place of the coach?

The medical team failed to do their work honestly. For instance, why were some players like Jean II Makoun, Landry Nguimo declared fit when they knew that even after a week they would not be able to play whereas Armel Kana Biyik, had only four days to recover. Coupled with this is the fact that most selected players are not regular players in their team. Thus, they arrived physically and technically weak to the extent that the coach had no option but base his selection on past glories.

Thirdly, just like in 2002, their late departure from Yaounde to Vitoria via Brasilia due to match bonus wrangling, contributed negatively in the physical, technical and mental out-put of the players. Thus, while the other teams were busy analyzing videos of their opponents and discussing tactics, the Lions were in their luxurious Sheraton Hotel with calculators brainstorming on what to do with their millions, thinking whether their family members or girlfriends who accompanied them have eaten or done all the buying.

With this type of performance therefore, the 2010 scenario in South Africa where Cameroon was butted out of the competition with zero point is already looming. Placed last in group A with zero point and no goal scored, the Lions will go in for their last encounter next Monday June 23 against Brazil to avoid sanctions from the World Football governing body (FIFA}, and not for honour. This is because judging from their first two outings, even the courage or support by Cameroonians might not stop the Selecao of Brazil from given them another football lesson.