Under the leadership of Rigobert Song, Cameroon is at African Cup of Nations (AFCON 2024).
In this article, we share all the information you need to knowabout the Indomitable Lions, undeniably one of the heavyweights ofAfrican football.
For clarity's sake, this year's competition is officially namedAFCON 2023 since it was initially scheduled to take place last yearbut was postponed until January-February 2024.
AFCON 2024: Cameroon
Cameroon's opponents in Group C are Gambia, Guinea and Senegal.
The Indomitable Lions will play their first two group matches inYamoussoukro, then the third in Bouaké.
January 15, 6 pm: Cameroon-Guinea, Charles-Konan-BannyStadium
January 19, 6 pm Senegal – Cameroon, Charles-Konan-BannyStadium
January 23, 6 pm Gambia – Cameroon, Bouaké Stadium
How did Cameroon qualify for AFCON2024?
In Group C of qualifying for AFCON 2024, which included only three teamsfollowing the disqualification of Kenya, Cameroon finished on topwith seven points and a record of four wins, two draws, and onedefeat.
The Indomitable Lions, however, had to wait until the last daybefore securing their ticket.
- Day 1: Cancelled
- Day 2: Burundi-Cameroon (0-1)
- Day 3: Cameroon-Namibia (1-1)
- Day 4: Namibia-Cameroon (2-1)
- Day 5: Canceled
- Day 6: Cameroon-Burundi (3-0)
Cameroon's last 10 games before AFCON2024
- Libya-Cameroon (1-1) – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
- Cameroon-Mauritius (3-0) – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
- Senegal-Cameroon (1-0) – Friendly
- Russia-Cameroon (1-0) – Friendly
- Cameroon-Burundi (3-0) – CAN 2023 Qualifiers
- Mexico-Cameroon (2-2) – Friendly
- Namibia-Cameroon (2-1) – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
- Cameroon-Namibia (1-1) – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
- Cameroon-Brazil (1-0) – 2026 World Cup group stage
- Cameroon-Serbia (3-3) – 2026 World Cup group stage
Cameroon: Good memories of2017?
Winner in 2017, quarter-finalist in 2019, and semi-finalist in2021, the Indomitable Lions have usually fared well in recenteditions of the African Cup of Nations.
Despite the probable withdrawal of Bryan Mbeumo and some doubtsabout the participation of André Onana, Rigobert Song’s team seemssufficiently armed to go to all the way to the end of this upcomingtournament – at least on paper.
The recent results and the tactics exhibited by Song make itdifficult to convince fans that the team can do this and there is alack of confidence in the Indomitable Lions in public, but infootball, the great teams sometimes know how to wake up duringmajor competitions.
Cameroon's coach: Rigobert Song
After being coach of Cameroon U23, Rigobert Song took charge ofthe Indomitable Lions in February 2022. Almost two years after hisappointment, the 47-year-old technician still arouses a certainlevel of scepticism among observers of African football.
Despite an encouraging start marked by qualification for theWorld Cup in Qatar, the former defender was unable to take theIndomitable Lions to the Round of 16 in Qatar 2022. However, itwasn’t an entirely bad time at the World Cup, as the Lions got afamous win over Brazil (1-0).
That famous win did little to convince its detractors, who willnot fail to point out that Cameroon failed to win against Namibia(1-1 draw and 2-1 defeat) during the doubleheader last March in thequalifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations 2023.
But beyond the mixed results, it is above all the game plan andthe technician's choices that raise questions. One notable exampleis the return of Andre Onana to the national setup after hisdispute with Song at the World Cup. This doesn’t bode well forSong, as many view it as not being able to manage the teamproperly.
Playerto watch: Faris PemiMoumbagna
Even if it is not certain he will feature at the Nations Cup,Faris Pemi Moumbagna will be one of the revelations on theCameroonian side if he has the chance to play in the prestigiouscontinental tournament.Called up during the last round ofqualifiers, the 23-year-old striker got his first two caps in theLions jersey, though he has yet to score any goals in the nationalteam.
Moumbagna was trained in the United States, but is now aresident of Bodø/Glimt in Norway. The striker was a quick successin the Norwegian championship and he could've represented Norwayalongside a certain Erling Haaland. He is currently tracked by LOSCLille (Ligue 1, France), like most Scandinavian and Cameroonianfootballers.
He has great physical qualities and is lively on the pitch.Moumbagna is also composed in front of goal and has notched up 15goals in 28 matches in the Norwegian top flight thisyear.
Cameroon's AFCON 2024 squad
Goalkeepers: André Onana, Dévis Epassy,Simon Ngapandouetnbu, Fabrice Ondoa
Defenders: Jean-Charles Castelletto, HaroldMoukoudi, Oumar Gonzalez, Darlin Yongwa, Nouhou Tolo, ChristopherWooh, Enzo Tchato, Junior Tchamadeu, Malcolm Bokelé
Midfielders: Yvan Neyou, Olivier Kemen, OlivierNtcham, André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Wilfred Nathan Douala, BenjaminElliot Njongue
Forwards: Toko-Ekambi, Nkoudou, VincentAboubakar, Faris Pemi Moumbgna, François-Régis Mughe, Frank Magri,Leonel Ateba, Clinton Njie
