2023 AFCONQ: Cameroon & Burundi Hunt For Final Ticket In Group C.

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon will take on the Swallows of Burundi in a crucial last qualifying match of the 2023 African Cup of Nations in September. The 30,000 Capacity Roumde Adjia Stadium in Garoua will be the venue for the clash on September 12, 2023.

In a group that consists of Kenya, Namibia and Burundi, bookmakers predicted an easy walk for the Indomitable Lions, but this has turned out to be a huge mountain for coach Rigobert Song and Boys going into the last day against Burundi – a team Cameroon has never lost to in two meetings. The five-time African Champions failed two beat Namibia in two legs in March as this puts them on a tight corner against the Swallows of Burundi who defeated Namibia by three goals to two in June.

This means Cameroon are tight on the same point tally as Burundi – just one point behind Namibia on five points. This puts Rigobert Song under pressure as he is yet to win a home match since his appointment as coach in February last year.

Such stats could make matters worst for the former Cameroon Captain at a time when some of his key players like Fai Collins and Fabrice Ondoa are without clubs. In fact, Kick442.com reported last week that close to five players who have potentials to be called up for the Burundi clash are without clubs. However, Yaounde base Journalist Eratus says players without clubs still have a chance to be called for the Burundi clash.

“I wish that they [Players without clubs] should partake in any AFCON competition. Although it is different from the World Cup that a player needs to have a club before he is called up but now in this scenario of the AFCON, even players without clubs still have the possibility to play. So the chance of Fai Collins, Fabrice Ondoa and Nicolas Nkoulou to feature in the list of Rigobert Song is still high”, said Eratus.

Muambo Edward, Senior Buea based Sports Consultant opines that players who don’t perform well in their clubs should not be given a chance. In fact he lamented on the fact that ‘he don’t stand by the old names like Bahokem and Ganago who are not doing much at their clubs’. He further said: ” Some of the players who have been called overtime who came and you can’t understand why they were called. You can’t see what they bring to the party but they still keep getting the call ups.”

Muambo Edward, who also doubles as CEO of Online Media Platform, Indomitable Lions Trackers proposed a series of Cameroon players who are doing well with their clubs in Europe.

“There are a lot of Cameroon players knocking at the door. We have Njie Clinton with seven goals in seven games for his club Sivasspor and Ivan Cedric Embolo with Real Valladolid – he’s scored six goals in preseason and also scored for them in their first league game in the Spanish second-tier. There is also Faris Moubagna who has scored for his club over 12 goals and is also scoring goals in Europe in the Uefa Conference League for his club Bodø Glimt in Norway. I just hope that the coach makes the right call”, said Muambo Edward.

Cameroon is in search for a 21st AFCON participation, as Coach Rigobert Song’s tactics has been widely criticised by football lovers since he took charge of the Cameroon National Team last year. This has been the call of Lawrence Nkede, Senior CRTV Sports Consultant based in Yaounde – opined that coach Rigobert Song must up his game if Cameroon is to get a positive result over Burundi.

” What would have seemed like a formality in the past has become a mountain to climb today for Team Cameroon. Coach Rigobert Song who’s well known to have been a psychological booster for his teammates during his years as a footballer, will first have to work on the ‘fighting spirit’ of his players so that the stakes do not drown their ability to conquer the Swallows of Burundi. Just like in the first leg game, Cameroon needs to mount pressure upfront, control the game by maintaining possession, and dictate the pace, leaving no breathing space for Burundi, which will eventually adopt the counter-offensive play style. Nevertheless, if Cameroon relents in its efforts and takes the game slowly, this will build up the confidence of the Swallows, thereby complicating Cameroon’s game construction. Song equally needs to adhere to tactical flexibility; preparing to make tactical changes during the match if necessary, adapting to the flow of the game, and making substitutions ONLY when needed can help Cameroon gain an advantage over Burundi”, Said Lawrence Nkede.

The Sports Consultant also opined that “The players to be called up for this game will depend on their present form. In the defense line, the ‘Nkoulou equation’ will once again be on the table of discussion because Cameroon has conceded at least goal in its last two games with Nkoulou being paired up at the heart of the defense with two different centre defenders. At 33, and clubless, his experience will be needed more off the pitch than on the turf of the Garoua Roumde Adjia stadium. Overall, Cameroon should focus on a combination of defensive solidity, attacking prowess, midfield control, mental strength, tactical flexibility, teamwork, and analysis of the opponent to increase their chances of winning the match against Burundi in this last AFCON qualifier.”

Burundi is also aiming for a second AFCON participation as the game is a must win game for both teams as Muambo Edward ends by saying “there is no room for a draw in the game because it’s must be a win game for either teams. So I think Cameroon should not even be considering of what happens if it’s a draw. We need a win, we have to go and get a win.”