Under the leadership of Rigobert Song, Cameroon is at African Cup of Nations (AFCON 2024).
In this article, we share all the information you need to know about the Indomitable Lions, undeniably one of the heavyweights of African football.
For clarity's sake, this year's competition is officially named AFCON 2023 since it was initially scheduled to take place last year but was postponed until January-February 2024.
AFCON 2024: Cameroon
Cameroon's opponents in Group C are Gambia, Guinea and Senegal.
The Indomitable Lions will play their first two group matches in Yamoussoukro, then the third in Bouaké.
January 15, 6 pm: Cameroon-Guinea, Charles-Konan-Banny Stadium
January 19, 6 pm Senegal – Cameroon, Charles-Konan-Banny Stadium
January 23, 6 pm Gambia – Cameroon, Bouaké Stadium
How did Cameroon qualify for AFCON 2024?
In Group C of qualifying for AFCON 2024, which included only three teams following the disqualification of Kenya, Cameroon finished on top with seven points and a record of four wins, two draws, and one defeat.
The Indomitable Lions, however, had to wait until the last day before securing their ticket.
- Day 1: Cancelled
- Day 2: Burundi-Cameroon (0-1)
- Day 3: Cameroon-Namibia (1-1)
- Day 4: Namibia-Cameroon (2-1)
- Day 5: Canceled
- Day 6: Cameroon-Burundi (3-0)
Cameroon's last 10 games before AFCON 2024
- Libya-Cameroon (1-1) – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
- Cameroon-Mauritius (3-0) – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
- Senegal-Cameroon (1-0) – Friendly
- Russia-Cameroon (1-0) – Friendly
- Cameroon-Burundi (3-0) – CAN 2023 Qualifiers
- Mexico-Cameroon (2-2) – Friendly
- Namibia-Cameroon (2-1) – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
- Cameroon-Namibia (1-1) – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
- Cameroon-Brazil (1-0) – 2026 World Cup group stage
- Cameroon-Serbia (3-3) – 2026 World Cup group stage
Cameroon: Good memories of 2017?
Winner in 2017, quarter-finalist in 2019, and semi-finalist in 2021, the Indomitable Lions have usually fared well in recent editions of the African Cup of Nations.
Despite the probable withdrawal of Bryan Mbeumo and some doubts about the participation of André Onana, Rigobert Song’s team seems sufficiently armed to go to all the way to the end of this upcoming tournament – at least on paper.
The recent results and the tactics exhibited by Song make it difficult to convince fans that the team can do this and there is a lack of confidence in the Indomitable Lions in public, but in football, the great teams sometimes know how to wake up during major competitions.
Cameroon's coach: Rigobert Song
After being coach of Cameroon U23, Rigobert Song took charge of the Indomitable Lions in February 2022. Almost two years after his appointment, the 47-year-old technician still arouses a certain level of scepticism among observers of African football.
Despite an encouraging start marked by qualification for the World Cup in Qatar, the former defender was unable to take the Indomitable Lions to the Round of 16 in Qatar 2022. However, it wasn’t an entirely bad time at the World Cup, as the Lions got a famous win over Brazil (1-0).
That famous win did little to convince its detractors, who will not fail to point out that Cameroon failed to win against Namibia (1-1 draw and 2-1 defeat) during the doubleheader last March in the qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations 2023.
But beyond the mixed results, it is above all the game plan and the technician's choices that raise questions. One notable example is the return of Andre Onana to the national setup after his dispute with Song at the World Cup. This doesn’t bode well for Song, as many view it as not being able to manage the team properly.
Player to watch: Faris Pemi Moumbagna
Even if it is not certain he will feature at the Nations Cup, Faris Pemi Moumbagna will be one of the revelations on the Cameroonian side if he has the chance to play in the prestigious continental tournament. Called up during the last round of qualifiers, the 23-year-old striker got his first two caps in the Lions jersey, though he has yet to score any goals in the national team.
Moumbagna was trained in the United States, but is now a resident of Bodø/Glimt in Norway. The striker was a quick success in the Norwegian championship and he could've represented Norway alongside a certain Erling Haaland. He is currently tracked by LOSC Lille (Ligue 1, France), like most Scandinavian and Cameroonian footballers.
He has great physical qualities and is lively on the pitch. Moumbagna is also composed in front of goal and has notched up 15 goals in 28 matches in the Norwegian top flight this year.
Cameroon's AFCON 2024 squad
Goalkeepers: André Onana, Dévis Epassy, Simon Ngapandouetnbu, Fabrice Ondoa
Defenders: Jean-Charles Castelletto, Harold Moukoudi, Oumar Gonzalez, Darlin Yongwa, Nouhou Tolo, Christopher Wooh, Enzo Tchato, Junior Tchamadeu, Malcolm Bokelé
Midfielders: Yvan Neyou, Olivier Kemen, Olivier Ntcham, André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Wilfred Nathan Douala, Benjamin Elliot Njongue
Forwards: Toko-Ekambi, Nkoudou, Vincent Aboubakar, Faris Pemi Moumbgna, François-Régis Mughe, Frank Magri, Leonel Ateba, Clinton Njie
