World Cup 2022 - Pierre Lechantre: "Against Brazil, the Indomitable Lions must let loose"

Sport News Africa : To have any hope of reaching the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup, Cameroon will need several things to go their way, starting with a win against Brazil…

Pierre Lechantre : I know full well it will take a real combination of results for Cameroon to qualify. They have to win their game against Brazil, which won't be easy, but they also need the right scoreline in the other match, between Switzerland and Serbia. That's a lot, but obviously you have to believe. And I want to believe.

What do you expect from the Indomitable Lions?

I'd like to see a team that really lets loose, a team, a will-o'-the-wisp, that takes risks and attacks. Obviously, it's not about doing just anything, or going forward recklessly, especially against a side like Brazil, who will be looking to secure top spot and to win. But the Cameroonians have nothing to lose. If they want to qualify, they know what they have to do, even if their fate is not in their own hands. We can expect a very open game. I'd like sub-Saharan teams to be less European in their style of play. I know full well that most of the internationals play in Europe, but African players have a lot of talent, and sometimes I get the impression they aren't allowed to express themselves enough, play their own game, improvise.

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What did you make of the Lions' first two matches, against Switzerland (0-1) and Serbia (3-3)?

The first match was difficult, the team stayed too timid, even when they were behind. I liked their reaction against Serbia, when they came back to 3-3. They could even have won with a bit more luck and efficiency.

"We will never know the truth about the Onana affair"

Cameroon have had to deal with another crisis at this World Cup, with the Onana affair…

It's regrettable. On paper, Cameroon can no longer count on one of the best goalkeepers in Europe and one of their key players. I've read and heard a lot about this affair. I have no further information. What I can guarantee you is that we will never know the truth.

Before the World Cup, Samuel Eto'o, president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT), publicly stated that the Indomitable Lions were aiming to win the world title. Today, Cameroon are closer to the exit door than to the heights…

I admit I didn't really understand that message from Samuel. He is perfectly right to have ambition. But to go as far as openly declaring that Cameroon's objective was to become world champions... Even the coaches of France, Brazil and Argentina, who still have far stronger squads than Cameroon's at their disposal, haven't said that openly. Samuel perhaps should have taken it step by step, saying that Cameroon were first aiming to reach the round of 16 by coming out of a tough group. And so on. I don't know whether he put too much pressure on the players. I do think, however, that they were well aware before the World Cup that Cameroon, on paper at least, were inferior to teams who are among the favourites…

Alexis BILLEBAULT