Cameroon national football team

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Cameroon

Nickname(s)

Lions Indomptables
(Indomitable Lions)

Association

Fédération Camerounaise
de Football

Confederation

CAF (Africa)

Head coach

Otto Pfister

Asst coach

Gweha Ikouam Fils

Captain

Rigobert Song

Most caps

Rigobert Song (112)

Top scorer

Patrick Mboma (33)

Home stadium

Stade Omnisports

FIFA code

CMR

FIFA ranking

Highest FIFA ranking

11 (November 2006)

Lowest FIFA ranking

62 (April 1997)

Elo ranking

Highest Elo ranking

12 (June 2003)

Lowest Elo ranking

76 (April 1995)





First kit





Second kit

First international

Cameroon 9 - 2 Somalia

(Madagascar; 13 April 1960)

Biggest win

Cameroon 9 - 2 Somalia

(Madagascar; 13 April 1960)

Biggest defeat

Norway 6 - 1 Cameroon

(Oslo, Norway; 31 October 1990)

Russia 6 - 1 Cameroon

(Palo Alto, California, USA; 28 June 1994)

Costa Rica 5 - 0 Cameroon

(San José, Costa Rica; 9 March 1997)

World Cup

Appearances

5 (First in 1982)

Best result

Quarterfinals, 1990

African Nations Cup

Appearances

15 (First in 1970)

Best result

Winners, 1984, 1988,
2000, 2002

Confederations Cup

Appearances

2 (First in 2001)

Best result

2nd, 2003

Men’s Football
Olympic medal record
Gold	2000 Sydney	Team

The Cameroon national football team, nicknamed Lions Indomptables (Indomitable Lions), is controlled by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football and is Africa's most successful side; Cameroon have qualified for the FIFA World Cup five times - in 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998 and 2002 - more than any other African nation. They were the first African team to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup, in 1990, losing to England in extra time. They have also won 4 African Nations Cups, as well as the gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics.

1 History
2 Controversy about sleeveless and one-piece kits
3 The death of a team-mate
4 Cameroon Football Achievements
5 World Cup record
6 African Nations Cup record
7 Current squad
- 7.1 Recent Call Ups 2008
8 Other eligible players
9 Famous players
10 See also
11 External links

[edit] History

Cameroon played its first match against Somalia in 1960, prevaling 9-2.

Cameroon qualified for its first FIFA World Cup in 1982. With the increase of 16 to 24 teams Cameroon qualified along with Algeria to represent Africa in Spain. Cameroon was drawn into group 1 with Italy, Poland, and Peru. In their first game Cameroon faced Italy and held on to a surprising 1-1 draw. Cameroon held Peru and Poland to 0-0 draws but failed to qualify for the second round. Cameroon did their fans proud having not lost a game.

Cameroon narrowly failed to qualify for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico

Cameroon qualified for the 1990 World Cup surpassing Nigeria and beating Tunisia in the final round playoff. In the final tournament Cameroon were drawn into group B with Argentina, Romania, and the Soviet Union. Cameroon shocked the world by defeating holders Argentina 1-0. Cameroon later defeated Romania 2-1 and lost to the Soviet Union 4-0, becoming the first side to top a World Cup Finals group with a negative goal difference. In the second round Cameroon defeated Colombia 2-1 with Roger Milla scoring two goals in the extra time. In the quarter finals Cameroon faced England. At 25 minutes England's David Platt scored for England. In the second half however Cameroon came back with a 61st minute penalty from Kunde and took the lead with Ekeke at 65 minutes. England however equalized in the 83rd minute with a penalty from Lineker. Lineker made in 3-2 for England with a penalty in the 105th minute. Cameroon had nearly created one of the greatest upsets in the World Cup.

The 1994 World Cup in the USA saw the adjustment of representation for three African teams qualify. Cameroon qualified with Nigeria and Morocco. In the final tournament Cameroon were drawn into group B with Sweden, Brazil, and Russia. After convincing 2-2 draw with Sweden, Cameroon were determined to make an impact. However a 3-0 loss to Brazil and a 6-1 loss to Russia effectively ended their hopes of glory.

The 1998 World Cup in France saw the increase of 24 to 32 teams. Cameroon qualified alongside five African countries. After qualifying as expected, Cameroon were drawn into group B with Italy, Chile, and Austria. Cameroon struggled and drew their first two games with Chile and Austria. Cameroon were eliminated from the group when they lost to Italy 3-0.

Cameroon qualified for the 2002 World Cup in Korea-Japan clinching first place in their group which included Angola, Zambia, and Togo. Before the start of the World Cup, Cameroon ran into controversy sporting Puma sleeveless kits which they wore in the 2002 African Cup of Nations. FIFA immediately declared the kits illegal and black sleeves were added. Cameroon were drawn into group E with Germany, Ireland, and Saudi Arabia. Cameroon started with a 1-1 draw with Ireland after giving up the lead and later defeated Saudi Arabia 1-0. In their last game Cameroon were defeated 2-0 by Germany and were narrowly eliminated by the Irish who had not lost a game.

Lions Indomptables crest

In the 2006 World Cup qualifying round Cameroon were drawn into group 3 with Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Libya, Sudan, and Benin. Cameroon led the group for most of time unitil their final game. On October 8, 2005 Cameroon drew with Egypt 1-1 while Côte d'Ivoire defeated Sudan 3-1. This result prevented Cameroon from making the World Cup.

[edit] Controversy about sleeveless and one-piece kits

Cameroon used sleeveles PUMA shirts at the 2002 African Cup of Nations in Mali. FIFA, however, didn't allow Cameroon to use the same kits at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and black sleeves were added to the shirts. The 2004 African Cup of Nations witnessed Cameroon again run into controversy regarding their kits. PUMA had designed a one piece kit for the Cameroon team which FIFA declared illegal stating that the kits must have separate shirts and shorts. FIFA then imposed fines on Cameroon and deducted six points from their qualifying campaign.. PUMA argued that a two piece kit is not stated as a requirement in the FIFA laws of the game. PUMA however lost the case in court and Cameroon were forced to wear two piece kits and FIFA restored the six qualifying points to Cameroon

[edit] The death of a team-mate

In 2003, the Cameroonian player Marc-Vivien Foe died playing with Cameroon in the 2003 Confederations Cup. Marc-Vivien Foe died on the pitch in the 75th minute of the match. In his honor, in the final of the Cup the Cameroonian team wore jerseys with Marc-Vivien Foe's name on the back during the warm up.

[edit] Cameroon Football Achievements

African Cup of Nations :

4 Time Champion (1984, 1988, 2000, 2002)

All-Africa Games :

4 Time Champion (1991, 1999, 2003, 2007)

Afro-Asian Cup of Nations :

1 Time Champion (1985)

CEMAC Cup :

2 Times Champion (2003, 2005)
1 Time Runners-up

Central African Games :

2 Times Champion (1976, 1987)

UDEAC Championship :

4 Times Champion (1984, 1986, 1987, 1989)
1 Time Runners-up

African Youth Championship: 1

1995

African Under-17 Championship: 1

2003

[edit] World Cup record

1930 to 1962 - Did not enter
1966 - Withdrew
1970 to 1978 - Did not qualify
1982 - Round 1
1986 - Did not qualify
1990 - Quarterfinal
1994 - Round 1
1998 - Round 1
2002 - Round 1
2006 - Did not qualify

[edit] African Nations Cup record

1957 to 1965 - Did not enter
1968 - Did not qualify
1970 - Round 1
1972 - Third place
1974 to 1980 - Did not qualify
1982 - Round 1
1984 - Champions
1986 - Second place
1988 - Champions
1990 - Round 1
1992 - Fourth place
1994 - Did not qualify
1996 - Round 1
1998 - Quarterfinals
2000 - Champions
2002 - Champions
2004 - Quarterfinals
2006 - Quarterfinals
2008 - Second Place

[edit] Current squad

The following players were called for 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification against Cape Verde on May 31, 2008.

No.	Pos.	Player	DoB (Age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	GK	Idriss Carlos Kameni	18 February 1984 (1984-02-18) (age 24)	32	0	RCD Espanyol
16	GK	Souleymanou Hamidou	22 November 1973 (1973-11-22) (age 34)	40	0	Denizlispor
2	DF	Haman Sadjo	28 November 1984 (1984-11-28) (age 23)	0	0	Újpest FC
3	DF	Thimothée Atouba	17 February 1982 (1982-02-17) (age 26)	20	0	Hamburger SV
4	DF	Rigobert Song	1 July 1976 (1976-07-01) (age 31)	119	5	Galatasaray
5	DF	Alexis N'Gambi	20 January 1982 (1982-01-20) (age 26)	0	0	Montpellier
18	DF	Gilles Augustin Binya	29 August 1984 (1984-08-29) (age 23)	8	1	Benfica
7	MF	Modeste M'Bami	9 October 1982 (1982-10-09) (age 25)	23	7	Olympique Marseille
8	MF	Geremi Njitap	20 December 1978 (1978-12-20) (age 29)	68	9	Newcastle United
10	MF	Achille Emana	5 June 1982 (1982-06-05) (age 26)	11	0	Toulouse FC
11	MF	Jean Makoun	29 May 1983 (1983-05-29) (age 25)	22	7	Lille
12	MF	Alain Nkong	6 April 1979 (1979-04-06) (age 29)	21	10	Club León
14	MF	Joël Epalle	20 February 1978 (1978-02-20) (age 30)	20	2	VfL Bochum
17	MF	Stéphane Mbia	20 May 1986 (1986-05-20) (age 22)	8	3	Stade Rennais
20	MF	Alexandre Song	9 September 1987 (1987-09-09) (age 20)	8	0	Arsenal
9	FW	Samuel Eto'o Fils	10 March 1981 (1981-03-10) (age 27)	69	31	FC Barcelona
13	FW	Gustave Bebbe	22 June 1982 (1982-06-22) (age 25)	1	0	Ankaragücü
15	FW	Pierre Achille Webo	20 January 1982 (1982-01-20) (age 26)	15	7	Real Mallorca

[edit] Recent Call Ups 2008

The following players have been called up for the team in 2008.

Name	DOB	Club	Caps (goals)	Most Recent Call up
Defenders
Benoit Angbwa	January 1, 1982	FC Saturn Moscow Oblast	? (?)	v Egypt, February 10, 2008
Bill Tchato	May 14, 1975	Qatar SC	? (?)	v Egypt, February 10, 2008
Andre Bikey	January 8, 1985	Reading	10 (1)	v Ghana, February 8, 2008
Midfielders
Paul Essola	December 13, 1981	Arsenal Kyiv	1 (0)	v Sudan, January 30, 2008
Landry N'Guémo	November 28, 1985	AS Nancy	3 (1)	v Egypt, January 22, 2008
Strikers
Mohammadou Idrissou	March 8, 1980	SC Freiburg	? (?)	v Egypt, February 10, 2008
Joseph-Desire Job	December 1, 1977	OGC Nice	? (?)	v Ghana, February 7, 2008
Bertin Tomou	August 8, 1978	Excelsior Mouscron	? (?)	v Sudan, January 30, 2008

[edit] Other eligible players

Pos.	Player	DoB (Age)	Caps	Goals	Club
FW	Herve Tum	15 February 1979 (1979-02-15) (age 29)	10	2	Bursaspor
GK	Pierre Ebede	9 February 1980 (1980-02-09) (age 28)	0	0	FC Metz
DF	Eric Matoukou	8 July 1983 (1983-07-08) (age 24)	1	0	K.R.C. Genk
DF	Enam Alexis	25 October 1986 (1986-10-25) (age 21)	0	0	Club Africain
MF	Alain Junior Olle Olle	11 April 1987 (1987-04-11) (age 21)	0	0	SC Freiburg
FW	Christian Bekamenga	9 May 1986 (1986-05-09) (age 22)	0	0	FC Nantes