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Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions, four-time winners of the Africa Cup of Nations, are in danger of missing out on a place at the next finals in South Africa after losing 2-0 to the tiny Cape Verde Islands in Praia on Saturday in the first leg of the final round of qualifiers.
Angry fans demonstrated outside the offices after the defeat, leading to the deployment of police and military personnel.
“A new visitor to this country may have thought we were at war or facing an invasion,” said Martin Ndzinga, who lives next to the offices in the Tsinga neighbourhood.
The unexpected defeat, the latest disappointment for a side also hit by the decision of captain Samuel Eto’o to boycott what he described as an amateurish team, has consumed the airwaves across the central African country.
“I’m very disappointed by the defeat of the Indomitable Lions. Cameroon does not merit this, not at all,” local football coach Kisito Eloundou told Reuters. “It is a result of poor preparation and the poor spirit in the team.” But under-fire coach Denis Lavagne said there was still a home leg to be played.
“I think we can win that with a big score. We are in a difficult situation but everything is still possible,” he told state radio.
Cameroon, who host the Cape Verdeans on 13 October, missed out on the last Nations Cup in a mini-crisis for the country, who have long been one of the dominant forces in African football. — Reuters.
Online Reporter