The Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup are cyclical events usually awaited with much anxiety and since nations use the events to market their images at the continental and world stage, countries usually make every effort to be present in the final rounds of the competitions. With the sad events of South Africa 2010 and non-qualification for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea now past and gone, attention is now focused on the next edition of the nation’s cup to place in South Africa next year and the World cup to take place in Brazil, the year after.
Haunted by the failure of the South African expedition and absence from Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, the Lions are under pressure not only to clinch a spot in the final rounds of both competitions but to also make an honourable performance, if not outright victory. To do this, a code of discipline was enacted for the national selection and the technical staff of the squad overhauled to give a new impetus to the national football team.
The journey to Brazil 2014 begins on June 2, 2012 with the encounter against the Democratic Republic of Congo. Then, it will have to go through Libya and Togo or Guinea Bissau. The campaign for South Africa 2013 began on February 2, 2012 with the Lions taking a good option to qualify by securing a crucial 1-0 victory against Guinea Bissau in the away leg.
Though Cameroon’s opponents are within reach, they need to be taken seriously given the reduced gap between favourites and underdogs on the continent in football. Vital points need to be collected early so as to avoid pressure or any unpleasant surprises towards the end of the qualifying series. Experience from the qualifiers for the 2012 AFCON proved that points lost early in the campaign could cost a team dear at the end as Cameroon missed out on the 2012 AFCON due to a 1-1 draw obtained against the Democratic Republic of Congo in the first leg qualifier match in Garoua. The only handicap is that the Lions will not be engaging the campaign in full force as some players have been suspended for disciplinary problems; others are boycotting the national team while the others yet are injured. Whatever be the case, there is no room for error for the Indomitable Lions in this new campaign for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and 2014 World Cup.
