Lions anticipate a good start in Congo

Cameroon looks to pull off their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations group stage qualifiers off to a positive start when they visit the Democratic Republic of Congo at the Stade TP Mazambe in Lubumbashi on Saturday which kick-off at 2pm (CAT, GMT+2).

The Indomitable Lions had a disappointing campaign at this year’s Fifa World Cup in Brazil as they crashed out of the group stage, losing all three matches. Coach Volker Finke is now looking to rebuild the squad as they begin a new era without the influential former captain Samuel Eto’o, who recently announced his retirement from international football.

“This is a new departure for Cameroon, after the Brazilian World Cup which will still haunt the mind for a long time,” Finke told reporters. “I’ve had to standardise many things and this is why I have made some quick changes in the selection of the players.

"The idea is a balance between youth and experience, to build a competitive team for a better future. The talent is there, but you have to train them. "It is possible that it can take a while but not too much. I’m ready to lead this reconstruction.”

The Congolese will also be looking to collect maximum points at home as they also begin a new era under interim coach Florent Ibenge. The 52-year-old has done well in his post as head coach of AS Vita and will look to prove himself in the national team.

The Leopards will be without the injured Yves Diba and Britt Assombalonga but Ibenge has selected a balanced squad which includes locally-based players and those who ply their trade in Europe like Cedric Mabwati and Youssouf Mulumbu. Cameroon will play their second Group D fixture at home against Ivory Coast on September 10, while DR Congo will host Sierra Leone on the same day.