Mboma vows to prove worth

Mboma is determined to prove he deserves a place in the squad

Cameroon striker Patrick Mboma, recalled on Sunday to the provisional squad for the Nations Cup, has pledged to retain the trophy.

The Indomitable Lions squad arrived at a training camp in Malaga, Spain on Monday.

Mboma, who was joint top scorer at the 2002 finals in Mali, had been initially left out of the list of 26 players competing for a place in the final squad of 22 going to Tunisia.

"My ultimate ambition is to bring back the cup to Cameroon," said Mboma, who plays in Japan's J-League with Verdy.

"I am highly motivated, doubly motivated for that matter.

"I intend to make maximum use of the opportunity to make sure I am among the 22 to be retained for Tunisia," he said.

German coach Winfried Schafer came under fierce public criticism in the central African nation for not naming Mboma in his initial squad for the Malaga training camp.

Government sources said State President Paul Biya had asked for Mboma, a member of Cameroon's winning squads at the last two finals, to be recalled.

It would not be the first time Biya, who has ruled Cameroon for more than 20 years, has intervened.

In 1990, former African Footballer of the Year Roger Milla was left out of Cameroon's World Cup squad because, at 38, he was deemed too old by Russian coach Valery Nepomniachi.

On Biya's orders, Milla was recalled and the team went on to become the first African nation to reach the World Cup quarter- finals.