Why the Lions were tamed by Mexico

The Indomitable Lions walked away in the game against Mexico knowing that they did not do enough to win the soccer duel, even though a few scoring opportunities were created.

The Lions' lack of pressure on the ball and lack of possession from Enoh Eyong and Alexandre Song among others; saw the lions dominated by the Mexicans in all aspects of the game. The lions could not keep possession of the ball for long; this resulted in them chasing the ball throughout the encounter.

Systematically, the Mexicans 5-3-2 system overshadowed the lions 4-3-3 system and at some point 4-5-1 when the team was defending.

Also, the lions’ inability to break Mexico out of their relaxing style of play cost them the game. Mexico ended up with a passing efficiency of 85 percent as a result of lack of physicality and pressure in the middle of the field from Mbia, Song and Enoh.

The Mexicans’ excellent combination on the left flank against Cameroon’s inexperienced right back was another problem. This was one of the weakest positions that Cameroon had in the game. While on the Mexican side, Layun and Guardado were swift in their style and so overshadowed cotton Sport’s 21-year-old Cédric Djeugoue untested in top level football. Djeugue was confronted with Guardado coming at him from inside while Layún overlapped; allowing the Mexican dual to thread passes-in behind.

Tactical disorder also contributed to the Lions defeat. There was no connection between the midfield and the attack. Cameroon lacks a player maker; this made it difficult for the midfield to link with the attack. Mexican Captain, Rafa Marquez, had earlier pointed out in a press briefing before the game that the Lions had a tactical problem.

Samuel Eto’o’s isolation as a result of the team’s system did not permit him creat an impact. The Skipper needed services to make a difference which were not fast coming. Eric Choupo-Moting and Benjamin Moukandjo were playing on the flanks on either side of Eto’o and neither of them was able to provide a telling cross to the Chelsea striker. This was because Moukandjo and Choupo-Moting were dropping so deep defensively that, when Cameroon did control the ball, it was easier for Assou-Ekotto to overlap offensively and almost all of Cameroon’s chances in the first half came through the QPR man.

Again, many expected Finke to replace Choupo-Moting and Moukandjo who were both struggling and looking tired, after playing more of a defensive role. With crosses from Assou-Ekotto, Achille Webo and Vincent Aboubakar should have been brought in to replace Choupo-Moting and Moukandjo.

However, the team was positive in some aspects in the game. They showed enough quality going forward to seriously trouble the Mexicans, who were lucky to keep a clean sheet. Samuel Eto'o uncharacteristically blasted wide from a cross in, during the first half, Choupo-Moting was unlucky not to get a penalty minutes later, and an excellent save from Memo Ochoa kept El Tri World Cup dreams alive.

Cameroon had 13 shots and created 9 chances in the game, which were actually 3 more than Mexico managed. Assou-Ekotto was effective on the left flank for Cameroon and often put Mexico under pressure. Mathematically, Cameroon is still in the competition as they still have two games against Croatia and host Brazil. Unfortunately, football pundits and fans believe that this will be an impossible mission for the lions.

In football everything is possible and as the saying goes in Cameroon: “Impossibility is not for Cameroonians”.