Eto'o sees Schafer as World Cup 'key'

Eto'o will be Cameroon's key striker at the World Cup

By BBC Sport Online's Fiona Ledger

Indomitable Lions striker Samuel Eto'o Fis says German coach Winfred Schafer is the key to Cameroon's good outing at next year's World Cup finals.

Cameroon, reigning African and Olympic champions, are drawn in a World Cup group with Germany, Saudi Arabia and Republic of Ireland.

"Germany is the strongest team in our group, so it's good we have a German trainer," Eto'o told BBC Sport Online.

"He'll help us master the skills we need to face the Germans.

"Our performance at the World Cup will depend on Schafer."

The African title is what players will love to have because it gives you recognition internationally

Samuel Eto'o

The Indomitable Lions adopt a disciplined approach and play a rugged and physical football, similar to the Germans.

This has earned them the tag: "Germans of Africa".

Zero start

Schafer, who took charge in September, has already warned the Germans to treat Cameroon with respect during the tournament or pay the price.

Cameroon, the first side to qualify for the World Cup, will be making a fourth consecutive outing in Korea and Japan.

The Lions have Africa's best World Cup record - losing in the quarter-finals to England after extra-time in 1990.

Eto'o, with Spanish side Real Mallorca, played in the 1998 World Cup at the age of 18.

He reckons the team can re-enact the magic of the 1990 squad.

"We've had the same squad since 1998, so that's a plus," he said.

Permanent feature

He, however, added: "But we've to realise that for every tournament, it's starting from zero, from afresh.

Cameroon's coach Schafer

"Theoretically, we're in an easy group but the proof lies in our playing."

The striker has been a permanent feature in the Cameroon side since his debut.

His goals helped the Lions win the 2000 African Nations Cup and the 2000 Olympic football gold in Sydney.

And despite recovering from a neck injury, he will be relied on at the Nations Cup in Mali.

The African champions are grouped with Congo Kinshasa, Togo and Ivory Coast.

The former Real Madrid striker said: "I want to play for Cameroon in Mali.

African award

"I always have a strong emotional feeling playing for my country."

That patriotic passion makes him want to win the 2001 African Player of the Year award.

Our performance at the World Cup will depend on Schafer

Eto'o

"I want to win it for Cameroon again after my countryman Patrick Mboma won it last year."

Eto'o is competing for the 2001 title with Ghanaian Samuel Kuffour and Senegalese El Hadj Diouf.

"It's a title African players will love to have because it gives you recognition internationally," he said.

Eto'o won the 2000 Best African Young Talent award.