Cameroon have been the primary African nation to make an enormous splash within the World Cup knockout phases once they reached the quarter-finals in 1990, a golden era spearheaded by Roger Milla.
The Indomitable Lions have been certainly one of Africa’s main lights ever since, with 2022 now their eighth look on the worldwide stage regardless of by no means qualifying previous to 1982.
Nevertheless, they misplaced all three video games in each 2010 and 2014 and have not really gained a World Cup sport since beating Saudi Arabia approach again in 2002. The one approach is unquestionably up after FIFA ranked them thirty second out of 32 groups of their final look eight years in the past, though will probably be an enormous problem once more.
No wins since June is not best preparation, though qualifying on the expense of a powerful Algeria facet was actually an enormous deal for the crew and nationwide hero head coach Rigobert Track, who solely took over in February, between the Africa Cup of Nations and the crunch two-legged Algeria tie.
Goalkeepers: Simon Ngapandouetnbu (Marseille), Devis Epassy (Abha), Andre Onana (Inter)
Defenders: Jerome Ngom Mbekali (APEJES), Nicolas Nkoulou (Aris), Christopher Wooh (Rennes), Olivier Mbazo (Philadelphia Union), Collins Fai (Al-Tai), Jean-Charles Castelletto (Nantes), Enzo Ebosse (Udinese), Nouhou Tolo (Seattle Sounders)
Midfielders: Gael Ondoua (Hannover), Georges-Kevin Nkoudou (Besiktas), Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli), Samuel Gouet (Mechelen), Pierre Kunde (Olympiacos), Martin Hongla (Hellas Verona), Olivier Ntcham (Swansea), Souaibou Marou (Coton Sport)
Forwards: Moumi Ngamaleu (Dynamo Moscow), Jean-Pierre Nsame (Younger Boys), Vincent Aboubakar (Al-Nassr), Christian Bassogog (Shanghai Shenhua), Karl Toko Ekambi (Lyon), Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (Bayern Munich), Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford),
Cameroon have not needed to cope with the identical harm issues as different nations. Track has overlooked a handful of skilled internationals who’ve been in current squads – together with 53-cap Michael Ngadeu, 50-cap George Mandjeck and 42-cap Clinton N’Jie – however not due to harm.
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa
The previous Fulham midfielder has been smashing for Napoli in Serie A and the Champions League this season, and is over a quick harm layoff that compelled him to overlook three video games in October.
He confirmed in a 4-1 Napoli thrashing of Liverpool in September precisely what he’s able to, bossing the sport and buzzing all around the pitch. That can be essential for Cameroon in Qatar if they’re to have an opportunity of competing with Serbia and Switzerland particularly.
Karl Toko Ekambi
The 30-year-old appears to have gotten higher with age, consistently proving himself through the years every time he has stepped as much as a brand new degree. On the time of Cameroon’s final World Cup apperance, he was taking part in in France’s third tier however has steadily progressed with Angers, Villarreal and now Lyon.
Ekambi additionally scored the objective that gave Cameroon their ticket to Qatar within the first place. He netted within the 124th minute towards Algeria in Algiers to win the tie on away objectives after the hosts had scored what seemed prefer it was going to be the winner within the 118th minute.
Bryan Mbeumo
Brentford’s star performed youth worldwide soccer for France and solely declared himself accessible for Cameroon this yr, qualifying by means of his father’s household. He represents the drive from Samuel Eto’o, head of the nationwide federation, to recruit twin nationality gamers.
Mbeumo has scored seven Premier League objectives for the reason that begin of final season, proving himself in an elite competitors and is especially famous for his partnership with Ivan Toney at membership degree.
Andre Onana
With a regrettable and avoidable long-term drug ban lastly behind him, Onana has received his membership profession again on observe since beginning a brand new chapter with Inter. He received the nod over Samir Handanovic within the Champions League in September and has since commanded a spot in Serie A too.
The goalkeeper was a key member of the Ajax crew that received to inside a kick of the 2019 Champions League last and has solely missed one Cameroon sport since his ban expired a yr in the past.
Track’s Cameroon has the tactical flexibility to function in both a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 system, usually within the latter with extensive forwards flanking central striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
Cameroon predicted XI: Onana; Ebosse, Castelletto, Nkoulou, Fai; Ntcham, Zamboa Aguissa, Gouet; Mbeumo, Choupo-Moting, Ekambi
Cameroon suffered back-to-back defeats to Uzbekistan and South Korea in September, though they have been unbeaten over 90 or 120 minutes on the Africa Cup of Nations firstly of the yr – solely a semi-final penalty shootout defeat to Egypt ended their hopes of continental glory.
The second leg of the World Cup playoff towards Algeria additionally confirmed their grit to seize a decisive objective deep into stoppage time in extra-time.
Cameroon’s final 5 outcomes (all competitions)
Cameroon might hardly have requested for a more durable group and that could be a drawback. This squad additionally lacks the identical star high quality of previous generations, with captain Vincent Aboubakar arguably previous his finest and solely a few gamers thought of regulars for Champions League degree golf equipment.
Count on Brazil to win the group and Serbia and Switzerland to battle it out for second place, making it powerful for Cameroon to even get a glance in.
Prediction: Group stage exit
