Cameroon profile

Indomitable Lions look to improve on recent ACFON form

Last updated: 8th January 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Cameroon profile

Eto'o: Match winner

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Cameroon go into the African Cup of Nations in Angola as one of the strong favourites to walk away with the title.

The Indomitable Lions are currently the top ranked African team as they hold 11th spot in the FIFA World rankings.

The West African nation is arguably Africa's most successful side having qualified for the World Cup on six occasions (1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010), more than any other African nation.

Cameroon won a gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics and were the first African nation to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup in 1990, where they lost to England in extra time.

They are also second only to Egypt in terms of African Cup of Nations titles having won the crown four times.

After a poor start to their World Cup qualifying campaign following defeat to Togo and a draw against Morocco, Cameroon went on to win their next four games (home and away to Gabon and the return legs against Morocco and Togo) to secure their passage to South Africa.

One to watch: Samuel Eto'o

Cameroon's chances of a fifth continental title will be placed on the shoulders of captain and striker Samuel Eto'o.

The Inter Milan hitman, who has netted 42 goals in 87 appearances for his country, was part of the squads that won the 2000 and 2002 Africa Cup of Nations, and was a gold medalist at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

He is the tournament's all-time joint leading goalscorer with 16 goals and it is likely that his undoubted pedigree, which has seen him scoop almost every honour the game has to offer, will see him shine once again.

Coach: Paul Le Guen

Indomitable Lions boss Paul Le Guen is largely to thank for Cameroon reaching the World Cup and AFCON finals after he turned the country's fortunes around following the sacking of his predecessor Otto Pfister after the team had picked up a solitary point in its first two World Cup qualifying matches.

What makes Le Guen stand out is the fact that he is not afraid to make wholesale changes should they be necessary. This was clearly illustrated after he stripped veteran defender Rigobert Song of the captaincy and appointed Samuel Eto'o shortly after taking over the reins.