By Tata Mbunwe
Indomitable Lions’ coach, Rigobert Song, is confident about the team’s readiness to deliver a victory as they face defending champions Senegal in their second game of the 2023 African Cup of Nations.
The Group C game, perceived as one of the most anticipated matches of the AFCON group stage, plays at 6:00 GMT on Friday, January 18th, 2024.
During a pre-match press conference today, Song, who already faces criticism at home for the Lions’ disappointing draw with Guinea on Monday, says he is confident the team will correct its loopholes tomorrow.
“You will witness a match worthy of the Cameroon national team,” said Song.
“The matches follow one another but are not the same. We discovered the loopholes. My players and I are eager to show other things tomorrow.”
Their opponent, Senegal, captained by Al Nassr forward Sadio Mane, had a full-scale victory against Gambia in the previous match, winning 3-0.
Senegal is the likely winner of tomorrow’s game, judging from the team’s previous matches.
Unlike Cameroon, the Terranga Lions have won four games with one draw in the last five games. This includes a friendly against Cameroon on October 16, 2023, where they won 1-0.
On the contrary, Cameroon has had three draws, a win, and a defeat in its last five encounters.
Prior to the start of AFCON, AI predicted that Senegal had the highest chance of lifting the AFCON 2023 trophy, as opposed to Cameroon, which came in the 7th position.
Despite Cameroon being placed on the disadvantaged end, Song believes in the indomitable ability of his team and the prospect of them turning the tides around.
“There’s no more time for long talk. We had a first match and now we are looking towards the second […] We have put in place a tactic which will allow us to come out of this match with a positive result,” the former Indomitable Lions defender said.
He noted that the team captain and favourite goal scorer, Vincent Aboubakar, will be absent in the Senegal game, but was uncertain about goalkeeper Andre Onana’s participation.
“Aboubakar Vincent has resumed training but will not play Senegal’s match. As for Andre Onana, we will see his form to determine if he can play. It all depends on him,” said Song.
Both key players were absent from Monday’s game against Guinea, which ended in an unexpected 1–0 draw.
While Aboubakar was still recovering from a thigh injury, Onana couldn’t participate because he needed rest after a nightlong flight from London, where he had played for Manchester United the previous day.
Coach Song also made some other confident remarks, which seem to keep the hopes of Indomitable Lions fans alive.
“My players must work very hard tomorrow and fight like real lions,” he soad.
“Football has its ways. My players did everything against Guinea, but lacked realism. In football it’s the end that counts, the result. But I think that tomorrow there will be goals that will come in,” he added.
Cameroon currently occupies the second position in Group C with one point, while Senegal leads the group with three points.
Guinea follows in the third position with one point, while Gambia is at the bottom of the group with no point.
