Cameroon national football team

The Cameroon national football team, nicknamed Les Lions Indomptables (The Indomitable Lions), is controlled by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football and is Africa’s most successful side in FIFA world cup; having qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times – in 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010– more than any other African nation. They were the first African team to reach the quarter-final of the World Cup, in 1990, losing to Englandin extra time. They have also won four Africa Cup of Nations titles.

Cameroon national football team

First games

Cameroon played its first match against Djiboutiin 1960, winning 9–2. They first qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations in 1970, but were knocked out in the first round. Two years later, as host nation, the Indomitable Lions finished third in the 1972 Africa Cup of Nations. They would not qualify for the competition for another ten years.

Cameroon national football team

FIFA 1982 World Cup

Cameroon qualified for its first FIFA World Cup in 1982. With the increase of 16 to 24 teams Cameroon qualified along with Algeriato represent Africa in Spain. Cameroon was drawn into group 1 with Italy, Poland, and Peru. In their first game Cameroon faced Peru and drew 0-0. They then had a second goalless draw with Poland before a surprise 1-1 draw with Italy. Despite being unbeaten they failed to qualify for the second round.

African Nations, 1984

Two years later Cameroon qualified for the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations, held in Côte d’Ivoire. They finished second in their first-round group before beating Algeria on penalties in the semi-final. In the final, Cameroon beat Nigeria3–1 with goals from René N’Djeya, Théophile Abega and Ernest Ebongué to become champions of Africa for the first time.

Cameroon national football team

FIFA 1990 World Cup

Cameroon qualified for the 1990 World Cupby surpassing Nigeriaand beating Tunisiain the final round playoff. In the final tournament Cameroon were drawn into group B with Argentina, Romania, and the Soviet Union. Cameroon defeated defending champions Argentinain the opening game 1–0 with a goal scored by François Omam-Biyik. Cameroon later defeated Romania2–1 and lost to the Soviet Union 0–4, becoming the first side to top a World Cup Finals group with a negative goal difference. In the second round Cameroon defeated Colombia2–1 with the 38 year old Roger Millascoring two goals in the extra time. In the quarter finals Cameroon faced England. After 25 minutes England’s David Plattscored for England. In the second half however Cameroon came back with a 61st minute penalty from Emmanuel Kundéand took the lead with Eugène Ekéké on 65 minutes. England however equalized in the 83rd minute with a penalty from Gary Lineker. Lineker made in 3–2 for England with a penalty in the 105th minute. The team was coached by Russian manager and former player Valeri Nepomniachi.

Cameroon national football team

FIFA 1994 World Cup

The 1994 World Cupin the USA saw the adjustment of representation for three African teams qualify. Cameroon qualified with Nigeriaand Morocco. In the final tournament Cameroon were drawn into group B with Sweden, Brazil, and Russia. After a 2–2 draw against Sweden, Cameroon were determined to make an impact. However a 3–0 loss to Braziland a 6–1 loss to Russiaknocked them out. In their last game against Russia, the then 42 year old Roger Milla became the oldest player to play and score in a World Cup Finals match.

FIFA 1998 World Cup

The 1998 World Cupin 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. Despite drawing with Chile and Austria, a 3–0 defeat to Italy saw Cameroon finish bottom of the group, and they were eliminated as a result. Cameroon had three players sent off in the course of the tournament, more than any other team, despite only playing three games out of a possible seven. They also had the highest card count per game of any team, collecting an average of four bookings in each match they played.^[1]

Cameroon national football team

2002 FIFA World Cup

Cameroon qualified for the 2002 World Cupin Korea-Japan clinching first place in their group which included Angola, Zambia, and Togo. In a warm-up game, Cameroon again came close to being the first African team to defeat England, in a 2–2 draw. England as yet, are still undefeated by an African nation. 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.

Missing out on Germany 2006

In the 2006 World Cupqualifying round Cameroon were drawn into group 3 with Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Libya, Sudan, and Benin. Cameroon led the group for most of the time until 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 national football team

2010 World Cup Qualification

In Cameroon’s 2010 World Cupqualifying campaign, the team was grouped with the Gabon, Togo, and Moroccan national football teams. After a slow start in their campaign, with a shocking loss to Togo and a draw against Morocco, the coach of Cameroon, Otto Pfister, was fired and Frenchman Paul Le Guen was appointed as the new coach. Le Guen’s appointment caused an uprise in Cameroon’s spirits as they got a win against Gabon in Libreville, followed by another win against the Panthers four days later in Yaounde. One month later, they defeated Togo in Yaounde by 3 goals. On November 14, 2009, Cameroon defeated the Atlas Lions of Morocco 2–0 in Fez in their last match of their campaign. Gabon was also defeated by Togo 1–0 in Lome. Both results caused Cameroon to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.^[2]
The Indomitable Lions were the first team to be mathematically eliminated in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, going out in their second group match to Denmarkafter losing it 1–2, following a 0–1 defeat to Japan.

Controversy about sleeveless and one-piece kits

Cameroon used sleeveless PUMA shirts at the 2002 African Cup of Nations in Mali. FIFA, however, didn’t allow Cameroon to use the same kits at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and black sleeves were added to the shirts.^[3] 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, but FIFA subsequently restored the six qualifying points to Cameroon.