The 'Cameroon national football team', nicknamed ''Lions Indomptables (Indomitable Lions)'', is the national team of
Cameroon and is controlled by the
Fédération Camerounaise de Football. It is one of Africa's most successful sides, as Cameroon was the first
African team to reach the quarterfinals of the
World Cup, in
1990, losing to
England in extra time. They have also won 4
African Nations Cups, as well as the gold medal at the
2000 Summer Olympics.
Last and next games
★ 'Last game' 2:0 (
Oita,
August 22,
2007).
★ 'Next game' : (
Kigali,
September 8,
2007).
History
Cameroon qualified for its first
FIFA World Cup in 1982. With the increase of 16 to 24 teams Cameroon qualified along with
Algeria to represent Africa in Spain. Cameroon was drawn into group 1 with Italy, Poland, and Peru. In their first game Cameroon faced Italy and held on to a surprising 1-1 draw. Cameroon held Peru and Poland to 0-0 draws but failed to qualify for the second round. Cameroon did their fans proud having not lost a game.
Cameroon narrowly failed to qualify for the
1986 World Cup in Mexico.
Cameroon qualified for the
1990 World Cup surpassing Nigeria and beating Tunisia in the final round playoff. In the final tournament Cameroon were drawn into group B with Argentina, Romania, and the Soviet Union. Cameroon shocked the world by defeating holders Argentina 1-0. Cameroon later defeated Romania 2-1 and lost to the Soviet Union 4-0, becoming the first side to top a World Cup Finals group with a negative goal difference. In the second round Cameroon defeated Colombia 2-1 with Roger Milla scoring two goals in the extra time. In the quarter finals Cameroon faced England. At 25 minutes England's David Platt scored for England. In the second half however Cameroon came back with a 61st minute penalty from Kunde and took the lead with Ekeke at 65 minutes. England however equalized in the 83rd minute with a penalty from Lineker. Lineker made in 3-2 for England with a penalty in the 105th minute. Cameroon had nearly created one of the greatest upsets in the World Cup.
The
1994 World Cup in the USA saw the adjustment of representation for three African teams qualify. Cameroon qualified with Nigeria and Morocco. In the final tournament Cameroon were drawn into group B with Sweden, Brazil, and Russia. After convincing 2-2 draw with Sweden, Cameroon were determined to make an impact. However a 3-0 loss to Brazil and a 6-1 loss to Russia effectively ended their hopes of glory.
The
1998 World Cup in France saw the increase of 24 to 32 teams. Cameroon qualified alongside five African countries. After qualifying as expected, Cameroon were drawn into group B with Italy, Chile, and Austria. Cameroon struggled and drew their first two games with Chile and Austria. Cameroon were eliminated from the group when they lost to Italy 3-0.
Cameroon qualified for the
2002 World Cup in Korea-Japan clinching first place in their group which included Angola, Zambia, and Togo. Before the start of the World Cup, Cameroon ran into controversy sporting
Puma sleeveless kits which they wore in the 2002 African Cup of Nations. FIFA immediately declared the kits illegal and black sleeves were added. Cameroon were drawn into group E with Germany, Ireland, and Saudi Arabia. Cameroon started with a 1-1 draw with Ireland after giving up the lead and later defeated Saudi Arabia 1-0. In their last game Cameroon were defeated 2-0 by Germany and were narrowly eliminated by the Irish who had not lost a game.
In the
2006 World Cup qualifying round Cameroon were drawn into group 3 with Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Libya, Sudan, and Benin. Cameroon led the group for most of time unitil their final game. On October 8, 2005 Cameroon drew with Egypt 1-1 while Côte d'Ivoire defeated Sudan 3-1. This result prevented Cameroon from making the World Cup.
Cameroon had been successful in the
African Cup of Nations qualifying fourteen times and winning it four times most recently in 2002. The 2004 African Cup of Nations witnessed Cameroon again run into controversy regarding their kits. Puma had designed a one piece kit for the Cameroon team which FIFA declared illegal stating that the kits must have separate shirts and shorts. FIFA then imposed fines on Cameroon and deducted six points from their qualifying campaign. Puma argued that a two piece kit is not stated as a requirement in the FIFA laws of the game. Puma however lost the case in court and Cameroon were forced to wear two piece kits and FIFA restored the six qualifying points to Cameroon.
Cameroon Football Achievements
:'
Afro-Asian Cup of Nations :'
::
★ 1 Time Champion (1985)
:'
CEMAC Cup :'
::
★ 2 Times Champion (2003, 2005)
::
★ 1 Time Runners-up
:'
Central African Games :'
::
★ 2 Times Champion (1976, 1987)
:'
UDEAC Championship :'
::
★ 4 Times Champion (1984, 1986, 1987, 1989)
::
★ 1 Time Runners-up
★
World Cup record
★
1930 to
1962 - ''Did not enter''
★
1966 - ''Withdrew''
★
1970 to
1978 - ''Did not qualify''
★
1982 - Round 1
★
1986 - ''Did not qualify''
★
1990 - Quarterfinal
★
1994 - Round 1
★
1998 - Round 1
★
2002 - Round 1
★
2006 - ''Did not qualify''
African Nations Cup record
★
1957 to
1965 - ''Did not enter''
★
1968 - ''Did not qualify''
★
1970 - Round 1
★
1972 - Third place
★
1974 to
1980 - ''Did not qualify''
★
1982 - Round 1
★
1984 - 'Champions'
★
1986 - Second place
★
1988 - 'Champions'
★
1990 - Round 1
★
1992 - Fourth place
★
1994 - ''Did not qualify''
★
1996 - Round 1
★
1998 - Quarterfinals
★
2000 - 'Champions'
★
2002 - 'Champions'
★
2004 - Quarterfinals
★
2006 - Quarterfinals
Current squad
The following squad includes players called up for a friendly against
Japan on
August 22,
2007.
Goalkeepers
Defenders
Midfielders
Strikers
Famous players
★ Won both 2000 African Nations Cup and Summer Olympics
External links
★
Cameroon FAofficial site
★
RSSSF archive of results 1960-
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