AFCON 2015: Cameroon Aim for Glory After World Cup Woes
Cameroon enter the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations as a rejuvenated force, eager to erase the memories of a disappointing 2014 World Cup and recent absences from the continental showpiece. The Indomitable Lions, four-time AFCON winners, are seen as serious contenders in Group D, despite being ranked behind Ivory Coast and Guinea in the latest FIFA rankings.
Head coach Volker Finke has overseen a rebuilding phase since Brazil, trusting a younger generation led by captain Stéphane Mbia. Cameroon face Mali, Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire in what is arguably the tournament’s most competitive group.
Cameroon at a Glance
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Federation: Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT)
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Founded: 1959
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Confederation: CAF
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Nickname: The Indomitable Lions
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AFCON Appearances: 16 (first in 1970)
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Titles: 4 (1984, 1988, 2000, 2002)
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President: Joseph Owona
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Coach: Volker Finke
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Group D Fixtures (All in Malabo)
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Jan 20: Mali vs Cameroon – 20:00 GMT
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Jan 24: Cameroon vs Guinea – 20:00 GMT
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Jan 28: Cameroon vs Côte d’Ivoire – 19:00 GMT
Road to Equatorial Guinea
Cameroon bounced back strongly after a humiliating World Cup campaign. In their qualifying group, they went unbeaten with three wins and three draws. Their emphatic 4–1 victory over Côte d’Ivoire on matchday one set the tone, with young talents like Clinton N’Jie and Vincent Aboubakar stepping up in the absence of retired legend Samuel Eto’o.
Key Man: Stéphane Mbia
Now captain, Mbia brings leadership and experience to a youthful squad. Though suspended for the opening match, the Sevilla midfielder remains a vital cog, known for his defensive versatility and goal-scoring instincts.
One to Watch: Vincent Aboubakar
Seen as Eto’o’s long-term successor, Aboubakar is expected to lead the line in Equatorial Guinea. While still finding his feet at FC Porto, he netted 16 times in Ligue 1 for Lorient last season and will be Cameroon’s main attacking threat.
Provisional 23-Man Squad
Goalkeepers:
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Guy Roland Ndy Assembe (Nancy, FRA)
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Pierre Sylvain Abogo (Tonnerre Yaoundé)
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Fabrice Ondoua (Barcelona, ESP)
Defenders:
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Nicolas Nkoulou (Marseille, FRA)
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Henri Bedimo (Lyon, FRA)
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Franck Bagnack (Barcelona, ESP)
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Brice Nlate Ekongolo (Marseille, FRA)
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Jérôme Guihoata (Valenciennes, FRA)
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Cédric Djeugoue (Coton Sport)
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Ambroise Oyongo (New York Red Bulls, USA)
Midfielders:
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Stéphane Mbia (Sevilla, ESP)
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Eyong Enoh (Standard Liège, BEL)
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Georges Mandjeck (Kayseri Erciyesspor, TUR)
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Cedric Loé (Osasuna, ESP)
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Edgar Salli (Académica, POR)
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Francis Ekeng (Cordoba, ESP)
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Franck Kom (ES Sahel, TUN)
Forwards:
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Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (Schalke, GER)
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Vincent Aboubakar (Porto, POR)
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Clinton N’Jie (Lyon, FRA)
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Jacques Zoua (Kayseri Erciyesspor, TUR)
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Leonard Kweuke (Çaykur Rizespor, TUR)
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Franck Etoundi (FC Zurich, SUI)
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Benjamin Moukandjo (Reims, FRA)
Predicted XI
Ondoua – Oyongo, Nkoulou, Mbia, Bedimo – Mandjeck, Loé – Salli, Aboubakar, N’Jie – Kweuke
