Lions focus on World Cup

Cameroon are united in wanting World Cup success

By BBC Sport Online's Durosimi Thomas in Bamako

Winning the African Nations Cup in Mali has fired up the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon for this year's World Cup finals in Korea and Japan.

This is the first time Cameroon has won the African title in the same year as a World Cup.

It will be the Lions fifth World Cup appearance, and they are looking to at least equal their performance in 1990 when they reached the quarter-finals.

Patrick Suffo, who came on as a substitute in Sunday's final and scored in the penalty shoot-out said the team is already starting to concentrate on the build- up to the World Cup.

Suffo said: "There is still more hard work ahead before the World Cup. We have to get good preparations underway soon by playing friendlies with good teams."

Midfielder Laurent Etame Mayer added that beating Senegal in the final has given the side the confidence they need to face Germany, Saudi Arabia and Ireland in their group in Japan.

"This victory has been a boost for us to emulate what the Cameroon teams in 1990 and 1982 achieved at the World Cup," said the Arsenal player.

"After more friendlies we will know our strength for the World Cup. Coach Schafer now has a better idea of which players he needs."

"Team spirit is the highest it has been for years and that is all we need for the World Cup."