Can Eto’o and company replicate Italia 90 success?

Eto’o made his first cap for Cameroon a day before his 16th birthday on 9 March 1997.

He has won 115 caps for the national side in a 17-year period.

Eto’o has scored 55 goals for the national side.

Eto’o described Cameroon’s exit at the group stage of the World Cup in 2010 as “the biggest disappointment of my career”.

World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers: Charles Itandje (Konyaspor), Guy N’Dy Assembé (Guingamp), Sammy N’Djock (Fetihespor), Loïc Feudjou (Coton Sport).

Defenders: Allan Nyom (Granada), Dany Nounkeu (Besiktas), Cedric Djeugoue (Coton Sport), Aurélien Chedjou (Galatasaray), Nicolas N’Koulou (Marseille), Armel Kana-Biyik (Rennes), Henri Bedimo (Lyon), Benoit Assou-Ekotto (QPR), Gaëtang Bong (Olympiakos), Joël Matip (Schalke 04).

Midfielders: Eyong Enoh (Antalyaspor), Jean II Makoun (Rennes), Stéphane Mbia (Sevilla), Landry Nguémo (Bordeaux), Alex Song (Barcelona), Raoul Loé (Osasuna), Edgar Salli (Lens).

Forwards: Samuel Eto’o (Chelsea), Eric Choupo Moting (Mainz), Benjamin Moukandjo (Nancy), Vincent Aboubakar (Lorient), Pierre Webo (Fenerbahce), Mohamadou Idrissou (Kaiserslautern), Fabrice Olinga (Zulte-Waregem).

Manager: Volker Finke

The 66-year-old German will lead the African giants into this summers tournament just one-year after taking over the national side. Finke was manager of German side Freiburg for 16 years and he is renowned for making the most out what he has at his disposal.

This is Finke’s first taste of international management after managing Urawa Red Diamonds in Japan and also having a short stint as interim manager at Koln, just before he took over as Cameroon boss.

Reports suggest that this is one of the weakest Cameroon sides in years and that Finke will have to pull off a miracle if they are to even get out of their group, however, with his substantial experience and know how, the German could be the ideal person to take the Indomitable Lions forward.

Star Player – Samuel Eto’o

The Chelsea forward may be 33-years old, but he is still his national sides main man this summer. A constant threat, it was vital Cameroon had their forward playing in a competitive division like the Premier League, with the quality set to be at the highest standard this summer.

Eto’o scored his first goal for the Cameroon side in 16 months in March, after an absence from the side, and he will be looking to build on that this summer.

He netted nine goals for Chelsea in the Premier League this season, with all of them coming at Stamford Bridge. He also managed to create 22 chances in his 21 Premier League appearances, registering two assists. Eto’o has won 13/21 tackles this season in the league, a success rate of 62%.

His injuries hampered his spell in west London, but he will be raring to go in Brazil. A leader and the talisman for his side, Eto’o could be the difference out there.

Best Young Player – Vincent Aboubakar

The talent 22-year-old striker has a big future ahead of him and after a fine season for French side Lorient, there is a lot of hope on Aboubakar’s shoulders. He scored 16 goals in 35 appearances in Ligue 1 and managed to create 39 chances for his side, registering seven assists.

He made his debut for Cameroon in 2010 and has made 22 appearances since then, scoring twice.

The only issue is how Aboubakar will fit into the coaches 4-5-1 formation with much of the focus on Eto’o leading the line. Aboubakar will have plenty of eyes on him this summer and his future will be under intense scrutiny if he manages to recreate his club form on to the international stage.

Key STAT

Cameroon are Africa’s most successful side in the competitions history, reaching the quarter-finals in 1990 and losing to England.

Cameroon are the underdogs in the group and understandably so. With hosts Brazil likely to top the table, it will be a battle for second spot with Mexico and Croatia. They will have the mindset that they do not have much to lose except for their pride, and so Volker Finke will ensure they go out there and give their all.

The next round would see them face one of either Spain, the Netherlands, Chile or Australia, which is an even bigger task and their German boss will know that their chances of progressing through that obstacle may be too much to ask.

With Eto’o in the side and in the mood, along with the in-form Vincent Aboubakar and the experience of Alex Song, Cameroon could prove to be a force to be reckoned with.