Ahead Thursday’s first semi -final clash against the Black Stars of Ghana, the captain of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon , Rigobert Song, has expressed optimism that his team will overwhelm the host and their battalion of supporters and maintain the record of wins over host nations.
Ahead Thursday’s first semi -final clash against the Bla ck Stars of Ghana, the captain of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon , Rigobert Song, has expressed optimism that his team will overwhelm the host and their battalion of supporters and maintain the record of wins over host nations.
Cameroon, four-time winners who were rated among the ‘dark horses’ before the tournament, has risen to a major favourite to win after the last four games in Kumasi and Tamale. Against Ghana, Cameroon will face the resilience and determination of a host t eam, who have enjoyed tremendous support from the stands.
According to captain Song, “there will be a great cry in Ghana (Thursday) and the cry is reminiscent to what happened in Egypt when God wanted to set his people free from bondage.
“We know the strength of the Ghanaians and with quality players in the team, the y can turn a lot of things round even in a difficult situation but, we want to m a intain our tradition of humiliating the host as far as the nations cup is concerned.
“The team started badly but we have improved from game to game and strength and mental ability of the players is at the peak now and ready to play and take on any opposition, including host Ghana,” Song boasted after team’s light training at the main bowl at mid-day.
Song, with all time record appearance in a number of Nations Cup matches, recalled that the Lions, when he was the captain, were held to a 1-1 draw by Ghana in t he opening match of 2000 Nations Cup finals while they edged out Super Eagles of Nigeria in the final match played at the National Stadium in Lagos. “Aside that memorable tournament, we were greatly harassed before the semi final match against the Eagles of Mali two years after, when we met in the semi final match, but on the field of play, their supporters were helpless when we trounced the host 3-0,” he pointed out.
Cameroon have won the tournament four times with three at the expense of Nigeria ; were 2-0 better when they met host Cote d’ Ivoire in a decisive final group ma t ch in 1984 edition; while winners and host Egypt had to muster more courage to edge out the Lions on penalties in the final of 1986 edition after a goalless scoreline.
In 1988, Cameroon eliminated host Morocco in the semi final by a lone goal in Rabat.
