Senegal Favored as They Face Cameroon in Second Big Clash of CAN

After the Cote d’Ivoire vs Nigeria match, the clash between Senegal and Cameroon this Friday in Yamoussoukro will be the second big clash of the CAN. At the time of predictions, the Lions of the Teranga are the favorites, while the performances of the Indomptables are worrisome.

You should always be wary of premature conclusions. Just because Senegal defeated Gambia 3-0 after a great performance doesn’t mean they will have an easy time against the Cameroonians. However, it was not only the score, but the overall performance of the Senegalese team that caught the attention of observers. “If Senegal lived up to expectations and delivered a serious match, I found Cameroon very disappointing,” said Michel Dussuyer, former coach of Benin, Guinea, and Ivory Coast. “At times, it was even distressing, I didn’t really understand the game plan, the players didn’t seem truly involved.”

Against Gambia, Senegal, the reigning champions, secured a victory thanks to a goal from Pape Gueye and a brace from the promising Lamine Camara. The Lions of the Teranga are one of the few favorites, alongside Morocco, who have confirmed their status from the first day. “It’s a good thing to have started like this after delivering a quality match,” rejoiced Ferdinand Coly, former Senegalese defender. “Senegal will now confirm this performance against Cameroon, a formidable opponent with whom there is an old rivalry.”

The two teams faced each other on October 16 in Lens, northern France. On that day, Senegal came out on top thanks to a penalty converted by Sadio Mane, and the Cameroonians had already failed to reassure their supporters, still bewildered by coach Rigobert Song‘s statement on November 7, when he seriously claimed that he had not been asked to win friendly matches.

This message has clearly been received, as in the eight friendly matches since his appointment in March 2022, Song hasn’t won a single one (four draws, four losses). The numerical balance of the Cameroonians since the 2022 World Cup is not particularly impressive. In 2023, they only defeated Burundi (3-0) and Mauritius, who are not considered powerhouses in African football, and some of their performances, including the latest, leave doubts. “If the team plays against Senegal like they did against Guinea, it’s a guaranteed defeat,” said André Kana-Biyik, African champion in 1988 with the Indomitable Lions. “It’s not normal to offer so little, especially offensively, when you have a numerical advantage. I didn’t understand some tactical choices, I saw a team without desire, without determination. If Guinea hadn’t been reduced to ten men, I think they would have won.”

Some supporters are convinced that Rigobert Song is not up to the task of coaching the Indomitable Lions. “We see on the field a team that seems to discover itself every time, as they never play with the same lineup twice,” scoffed the former Cameroonian international. “It seems like the players aren’t really happy to be there, it all lacks enthusiasm. I hope that they will show something different against the reigning African champions.”

Against Guinea, André Onana was notably absent due to his participation in a Premier League match with his club, Manchester United, against Tottenham on January 14, the day before the draw against the Syli National. According to another Cameroonian international who requested anonymity, the federation’s handling of the Onana case “is catastrophic.” “André Onana prioritized his own interests over those of the national team, and Rigobert Song did nothing,” exclaimed the player. “You could argue that he has a lot of personal matters to attend to, but still! I would like to remind you that Sofyan Amrabat, who also plays for Manchester United, completed the CAN preparations with his national team. André Onana already doesn’t have the best relationships with his teammates, and I don’t think this latest episode is helping. The management of this case, without the experience of Clarence Seedorf, has the appearance of amateurism!”

But the Senegalese would be advised to be cautious: history also reminds us that Cameroon is never as dangerous as when everything seems to be going wrong and they are not considered as favorites. That is precisely the case approaching this duel between the Lions.