Indomitable Lions cannot afford to lose next match

Despite the possible absence of team Captain Samuel Eto’o, the Lions need a victory if they must move to the second round of the tournament. The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon yesterday had their last training session at the Kleber Andreda Sports Complex in Espirito Santo prior to their departing for Manaus where they are expected to clash against Croatia tomorrow Wednesday, June 18, at 23 p.m local time.

To prepare for the must-win encounter, head coach Volke Finke has been trying to patch up some of his team’s compartments that failed to respond as planned. At the defence, a lot of lapses were observed especially between Nicolas Nkoulou and Aurelien Chedjou.

The absence of coordination, made it difficult for them to keep the Mexicans at-bay, had it not been the nonchalant attitude of the Columbian referee Wilmar Alexander, the score-line would have been heavier.

To remedy the situation, the German trainer is reminding them of the need to be tactful in their moves and stay concentrated from the start to the end of the encounter because the Croatian attackers are not only swift but very experienced.

In the midfield, apart from Stephane Mbia who defended and orchestrated a few moves up-front, nothing enterprising came from Eyong Enoh and Alexander Song. Their mobile and flamboyant role at the centre circle was virtually absent thus, depriving Samuel Eto’o and Choupo Moting from finding the back of the net. To curb this, the German trainer is clamouring for greater solidarity at the midfield and more support to the attackers when need be. To him, “time for talking is over. Now is time for action in the field”

With the possible absence of Captain Samuel Eto’o (who is still at the infirmary because of a knee injury), from the attack line, head coach Volke Finke is already reflecting on his replacement. From a tactical perception during last Monday’s training, Vincent Aboubakar seems to be the man to replace Chelsea’s striker up front. At the flank, Choupo Moting will be on the left and Benjamin Moukandjo on the right.

Apart from the different tactical and psychological corrections, no major changes are expected in the line-up. From the 3-5-2 system against Mexico, the German trainer might go for a 4-4-3 system, thus bringing in Schalk 04 recuperating midfielder Joel Matip to thwart any Croatian incursion in the Cameroon vital zone.