In their quest for a 6th AFCON 2023 title, Cameroon, with Rigobert Song as coach and Samuel Eto'o at the helm of FECAFOOT, are dreaming of triumphing on the roof of Africa. Sport News Africa gives you its predictions for the Indomitable Lions' future triumph in Côte d'Ivoire on the evening of February 11, 2024.
Because Song will apply the theory of danger
Winners of the African Cup of Nations on 5 occasions (1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, 2017), Cameroon is the second most successful country in this competition behind Egypt (7). With Cameroon, regardless of the quality of the squad on paper, the Indomitable Lions always go to the competition to win. A perfect example is the 2017 edition, where, to everyone's surprise, they were crowned champions despite the fact that several of the team's key players refused to answer the coach's call-up. To succeed in this far from impossible mission for the Lions, Rigobert Song is at the forefront.
Former captain of the Indomitable Lions and current coach of the Lions Indomptables, he is the author of the theory of danger: "It's when you don't know you're in danger, that you're in danger. That's what it's all about". And yes, Cameroon know they're in danger, with a generation far from their usual talent. But their opponents don't know they're in danger. Rigobert Song, who will soon be taking over as Cameroon coach in February, managed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup with a last-second winner against Algeria in a memorable match. The objective now is to triumph on the continental stage. With Song, you can always expect the situation to get tougher before he performs a magic trick. In fact, last November, he stated that he was not here to guarantee friendly matches.
Because Cameroon must win on Ivorian soil
An African Cup of Nations to be held in Côte d'Ivoire and won by Cameroon. Wouldn't that be the most sensational scenario? It would be a magical moment on social networks, for sure. This "je t'aime, moi non plus" relationship between Ivorians and Cameroonians is undoubtedly the liveliest in Africa. Among the historic matches, there's the famous Cameroon - Côte d'Ivoire match, decisive for qualification for the 2006 World Cup, with Pierre Womé's missed penalty. Although Cameroon were able to take their revenge by qualifying for the 2022 World Cup play-offs, finishing top of the group ahead of the Elephants and this time winning against them, Zambo Anguissa's team-mates would like to deliver the killer blow by hoisting the trophy in front of the Ivorian public.
Because Samuel Eto'o needs to become even more of a legend
If the former captain of the Indomitable Lions is at the head of the national team, it's Samuel Eto'o, the greatest player in the history of the competition, who is at the helm of Cameroonian soccer. President of FECAFOOT since December 2021, Samuel Eto'o is one of the biggest names in this competition. Two-time winner of the AFCON (2000 and 2002) and the competition's all-time top scorer with 18 goals, he could become even more of a legend if Cameroon is African champion in February 2024, with a hat on as federation president. Accustomed to winning in his career, Samuel Eto'o would dream of perpetuating this tradition with his former team-mate Rigobert Song. With Vincent Aboubakar taking over from his president, Samuel Eto'o will be able to count on a group of players with that winning spirit to go all the way in this Ivorian campaign. After finishing 3rd in 2021, Samuel Eto'o wants to be at the top, and that starts with a victory over Senegal, the reigning African champions and Group C's main opponents.
