Pillars of Cameroon’s world cup squad

Whatever guides Frenchman Paul Le Guen as he picks his 23 man squad for the World Cup this summer, certain men must appear if he wants to make the competition superb. Already featuring in the 30 man squad he released a fortnight ago is the body work of the team. But who makes the lion’s den a ferocious one and how?

Samuel Eto’o: Samuel Eto’o is without doubt the most recognizable player Cameroon has had and arguably the best. Four times Champions League winner with some the best clubs around Europe, the 29 year old Internazionale Striker brings a wealth of experience and tactics to the team. He will be among the people to watch keenly in South Africa but must ensure that as captain he works for the goals and for the team. Eto’o has been called selfish especially during four years at Barcelona but his recent play style with Portuguese man Mourinho proves that if well managed he can be unstoppable.

Alexander Song Billong: Arsenal Gunners defensive midfielder is a great reason why Cameroon should hope for a top spot in this year’s SA affair. The 23 year old marksman is tough and spirited. He left Arsenal fans singing wildly in the rain-“this is our Song, we have only one Song” after a particularly splendid year in England. Young Song will have just one job to do this summer- relay a robust defence to an Eto’o attack and just occasionally pull a shot on goal.

Achille Emana: The thick set shooter is very popular at home but relatively less known to European bigs. His stylish play adds aroma to a game but this summer, Cameroonians will need him scoring. Still held back by his Spanish side, Real Betis for a crucial season ender, Emana who carries shirt number 10 after Roger Milla and Patrick Mboma will have to measure with these greats in his first real world cup experience. If he can combine well with the entire attack line, then the goals will get on and coming.

Jean II Makoun: Ike Cassillas, arguably the best goalie to be present in South Africa knows the worth a small Makoun whose 32 metre thunderbolt strike sank Real Madrid at the first quarter final game of the just ended Euro Champions League in Lyon. Makoun sometimes comes up as a substitute offensive midfielder for his national side but makes a big difference to play. During Cameroun’s qualifier game in Libreville last year, he finished a hard trick from Samuel Eto’o which put his initials in the memory of that stunning campaign.

Assou Ekoto: The fair complexioned left back winger was instrumental in getting Tottenham Hotspur to the Champions League after a terrific show down with Manchester City at the close of the English season. His absence from the Africa Cup of Nations last January might have explained why a starting line up was almost impossible for manager Le Guen. His mastery of the ball and ability to climb and fall back with equal speed will be a sine qua non to Cameroon’s fifth World cup appearance.

Enow Eyong: Eyong had a good AFCON though Cameroon failed to move further than the quarter finals. He is a strong supplier at Dutch side Ajax and means much to a team in need of supply power. He will be at his first world cup with the team and can fill in a gap that has posed a problem since 2003-Marc Vivien Foe.

Rigobert Song: Some have said that the most capped player of the Cameroon outfit is just too old to keep up the frenzy on pitch. But at 33, Song whose son is in the squad with him is more than a defence ad to the team. More than ten years as the Lions’ captain, Rigobert Song will be in his fourth world cup in 2010 from a 1994 debut with the likes of Oman Biyick and Roger Milla. When Song accompanies the team to SA he will qualify for a FIFA pension when he says no to the sport. His Trabonsport side in Turkey won the country title with the defender furnishing more than 450 minutes of play. This summer it’s certain that things will not be about age but a Song spirit is needed-Allez y Maniang

Geremi Njitap Fotso: After rising with some of the best clubs in Europe, the old guard has no doubt plummeted. But Geremi has a story with the lions and must be up to the task if he is given the chance in June. Geremi is one man among few around the world who can turn a less likely free kick in to a 89th minute goal not minding its distance from the goal. He is indisputably a force for younger players on the team who will need a man to booster their amateur spirits.


The 30 man Squad
Goalies : Hamidou Souleymanou (Kayserispor) ; Idriss Carlos Kameni (Espanyol Barcelone), Guy Roland Ndy Assembe (Valenciennes), Amour Patrick Tignyemb (Bloemfontein Celtic)

Defenders : Jean Patrick Abouna Ndzana (Astres de Douala), Benoit Assou-Ekotto (Tottenham), Sebastien Bassong (Tottenham), Gaëtan Bong (Valenciennes), Aurélien Chedjou (Lille), Geremi Njitap (Ankaragücü), Stéphane Mbia (Olympique de Marseille), Makadji Boukar (Al Nahdha Club – Oman), Nicolas Nkoulou (AS Monaco), Rigobert Song (Trapzonspur)

Mid-field : Marcel Ndjeng (FC Augsbourg), Enoh Eyong Tarkang (Ajax Amsterdam), Jean II MAKOUN (Olympique Lyonnais), Georges Mandjeck (FC Kaiserslautern), Joël Matip (Schalke 04), Patrick Mevoungou (Canon Sportif de Yaoundé), Landry Nguemo (Celtic Glasgow), Alexandre Song (Arsenal)
Strikers : Vincent Aboubakar (Coton Sport), Eric Choupo-Moting (FC Nuremberg), Achille Emana (Bétis Séville), Samuel Eto’o (Inter Milan), Mohamadou Idrissou (Fribourg), Rostand Dorge Kouemaha (FC Bruges), Achille Webo (Majorque), Jacques Zoua (FC Bâle)