World Cup 2014 – Team Analysis – Cameroon

Having analysed Brazil in the first of our World Cup articles, we now take a look at the rank outsiders in Group A. Cameroon failed to impress during the qualifying stages and, having been thumped 5-1 by Portugal in a friendly match back in March, many are already writing off the Africans side’s chances of making it out of the group and into the knockout stages.

Volker Finke’s side begin their campaign with a clash with Mexico on Friday June 13 at 5pm – perhaps their best opportunity for a victory. Five days later the “Indomitable Lions” square up to Croatia at the later time of 11pm, before they take on hosts Brazil in the final batch of Group A ties on Monday June 23 at 9pm.

Road to Qualification

Cameroon finished top of a four-team qualifying group that included Libya, DR Congo and Togo. They registered four wins and a draw, although one of those victories was after a 2-0 defeat in Togo was overturned due to the hosts fielding an ineligible player, with Cameroon awarded a 3-0 win. Over their remaining five matches, they scored five goals, conceding three and earning three clean sheets. They then went head-to-head with Tunisia for a place in this month’s tournament and, after a goalless first-leg away draw, triumphed 4-1 at home to progress.

Road to Qualification

Most Starts Alex Song, Aurélien Chedjou,Nicolas Nkoulou (7), Jean Makoun, Dany Nounkeu, Eyong Enoh, Carlos Kameni, Benjamin Moukandjo, Joel Matip (5)

Most Goals Jean Makoun, Samuel Eto’o, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (2)

The Key Targets

Fueled by the 1990’s World Cup displays, the popular perception will be that Cameroon may well be a swashbuckling attacking side, spearheaded by Samuel Eto’o. They are actually set up to be a strong defensive unit who will look to retai possession and keep opponents at arm’s length. It’s in attacking terms that they struggle, unlike both Brazil and Croatia, they lack influential playmakers in midfield.

In a side largely bereft of attacking craft, Eto’o remains the star turn. The Chelsea man’s decision to come out of international retirement proved a successful one as his influence helped steer Cameroon through qualifying. There’s no doubt Finke’s side are up against it in Group A but, if they are to prosper, the performance of their veteran striker – who is first-choice penalty taker – will be pivotal.

Finke is expected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation, to maximise the power of Alex Song and Enoh Eyong in the engine room. This duo provide ample stability in front of a back four that boasts an established and touted centre-back pairing of Nicolhas N’Koulou and Aurelien Chedjou. That quartet will be tested and could reap plenty of points from recovered balls.

That spine can be further reinforced by Jean Makoun – the Rennes star will likely to be fielded the furthest forward of the central midfield three and will be looking to replicate the attacking form that saw him score twice in the crucial win over Tunisia. Makoun is not a natural “number 10” and Finke is far from blessed in this area. He has other options – notably Schalke’s highly-rated Joel Matip, along with Stéphane Mbia of Seville – both could feature but are imposing defensively minded assets rather than major attacking threats.

The Long Shot

Vincent Aboubakar is likely to get the nod on the right flank of either a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3. He failed to impress over the qualification period and was unable to find the net but he arrives on the back of a highly successful domestic campaign, having netted on 16 occasions for Ligue 1 side Lorient.

Further Analysis

Group A – Brazil