Build A More Combative Squad!

The euphoria of sailing through to the play-off phase of qualifiers for next year’s world cup in Qatar is certainly still very much alive in Cameroonians in general and players of the national football team, the Indomitable Lions, in particular. Obviously so given the style in which the team emerged first in Group D, triumphing over and relegating another giant, the Elephants of Côte D’Ivoire, to the second position; synonymous with elimination for the star-studded Ivorian team that led the group throughout the qualifiers before bowing out on the last day.  
Tuesday’s victory at the Japoma football temple in Douala no doubt rekindles hopes in fans and the entire team that the country would not miss out on Qatar 2022 as was the case in Russia 2018. For, failing to participate in two successive World Cups for a football powerhouse like Cameroon would be catastrophic for the image of the country and even that of the players. Qatar 2022 may just be in a year from now but the route is still very long for the Indomitable Lions who must stretch beyond limit to emerge victories in the remaining two matches to be played in home and away basis. They will definitely be epic matches for all.
While waiting for the pairings of the third and most determinant phase of the qualifiers to be made to know which of the other nine countries will be pitted against Cameroon, the technical bench of the Indomitable Lions needs not be told that in-depth and serious work has to be done. Having a combative squad capable of standing taller than any of the nine qualified teams in the African zone for the play-offs is a daunting task worth surpassing at least. Algeria, Senegal, Egypt, Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, Morocco, Tunisia and DR Congo; one of which will be Cameroon’s opponent in the play offs; are no-nonsense teams on the continent.
Cameroon therefore absolutely needs a more combative squad to stand up to the challenge. All compartments of the team have to be revisited and viable players scouted and their abilities sharpened. A competitive football team, like in any sport; is that which has the aptitude to attack and defend at the same time. A ...