Cameroon prepare for the world's best

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon want to atone for a poor showing at the last World Cup

Cameroon seek to enhance their international credentials in Japan next week when they represent Africa at the eight-nation Fifa Confederations Cup.

The African champions Cameroon got off to a lacklustre start in their preparations though, being held to a goalless draw against South Korea in a friendly match to open the World Cup stadium in Suwon on Friday.

Despite contractual problems with coach Pierre Lechantre and an apparent split with his two assistants, the Indomitable Lions have an impressive squad on hand for the event.

The African champions are in arguably the weaker of the two groups with Brazil, Canada and Japan and have a strong chance to make it through to the semi-finals.

Return for Lechantre

It is the first assignment for Lechantre after he returning to the coaching post earlier this month.

Cameroon's coach Pierre Lechantre

The Frenchman led Cameroon to the African Nations Cup title last year but was kicked upstairs to the post of technical director of the Cameroonian federation in December, when Jean-Paul Akono was appointed as new national coach.

Akono, who took Cameroon's under-23 side to the Olympic gold medal in Sydney last year, resigned after just three matches in charge of the senior team, claiming Lechantre has organised a campaign to turn the public against him.

Accusations

Last week the Frenchman was accused by his assistants, Jean Manga Onguene and Thomas Nkono, of being an agent for some of the team's players.

But reports from Cameroon said the accusation was made by the pair only after it had been revealed that Lechantre was looking to replace them.

Lechantre also sought to have a better contract put in place and threatened not to travel to Asia with the team unless this was sorted out by the sports ministry.

Cameroon will be captained by Rigobert Song, who returns after missing their 2-0 defeat in Luanda against Angola in a World Cup qualifier earlier this month.

Toughest match first

Cameroon start the tournament against defending champions Brazil in Ibaraki next Thursday, May 31 and then play Japan on June 2 in Niigata and Canada at the same venue on Monday, June 4.

Minus their top stars, Brazil laboured to a 2-0 victory over Japanese J-League basement club Tokyo Verdy on Saturday in an unexciting warm-up.

The top two teams in each of the two groups qualify for the semi-finals. The South Korean-based group features Australia, France, Mexico and South Korea.

The semi-finals are on Thursday, June 7 with the final on June 10 at Yokohama, which is also to be the venue for the World Cup final next year.

The tournament is being staged in Japan and South Korea as a dress rehearsal for next year's World Cup finals.

Cameroon squad
Goalkeepers: Boukar Alioum (Samsunspor, Turkey), Idriss Carlos Kameni (Le Havre, France), Jacques Songo'o (Deportivo La Coruna, Spain)
Defenders: Patrice Abanda (Sparta Prague, Czech Republic), Geremi Fotso Njitap (Real Madrid, Spain), Raymond Kalla (Extremadura, Spain), Pierre Njanka (Strasbourg), Daniel Ntieche (Sable de Batie), Michel Pensee Billong (Anzhi Makhachkala, Russia), Rigobert Song (West Ham United, England), Olivier Tchatchoua (Sable de Batie), Bill Tchato (Montpellier, France), Pierre Wome (Bologna, Italy)
Midfielders: Nicolas Alnoudji (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey), Joel Epalle (Panahaiki, Greece), Lauren Etame Mayer (Arsenal, England), Marc-Vivien Foe (Lyon, France), Daniel Salomon Olembe (Nantes, France)
Strikers: Samuel Eto'o (Real Mallorca, Spain), Joseph-Desire Job (Middlesbrough, England), Patrick Mboma (Parma, Italy), Bernard Tchoutang (Roda JC Kerkrade, Netherlands)