The Cameroon national football team, known as the Indomitable Lions, represents Cameroon in men's international football. The team has a rich history in African and world football, marked by significant achievements and memorable moments.
Cameroon's Footballing Journey
Early Years and Africa Cup of Nations
Cameroon played its first match against Belgian Congo in 1956, losing 3-2. They first qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations in 1970, but were knocked out in the first round. Two years later, as hosts, the Indomitable Lions finished third after being knocked out by their neighbours and future champions Congo in the 1972 Africa Cup of Nations.
FIFA World Cup Qualifications
Cameroon qualified for its first FIFA World Cup in 1982. With the increase from 16 teams to 24, Cameroon qualified along with Algeria to represent Africa at the tournament in Spain. Cameroon was drawn into Group 1 with Italy, Poland, and Peru. In their first game, Cameroon faced Peru and drew 0-0. They then held Poland goalless before a surprise 1-1 draw with eventual winners Italy.
The 1994 World Cup in the United States saw the adjustment of representation for African teams qualifying, from two to three. Cameroon qualified along with Nigeria and Morocco. In the final tournament, Cameroon were drawn into Group B with Sweden, Brazil and Russia. After a 2-2 draw against Sweden, Cameroon lost to Brazil and Russia sealed their elimination. In their last game against Russia, the then 42-year-old Roger Milla became the oldest player to play and score in a World Cup finals match.
Cameroon qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar via the away goals rule after defeating hosts Algeria 2-1 on 29 March 2022 thanks to Karl Toko Ekambi's winner in the 124th minute of the second leg of their CAF third round home-and-away tie with The Fennec Foxes. On 2 December 2022, in the final match of Group G, The Indomitable Lions made history by becoming the first African country to defeat Brazil at the World Cup. Vincent Aboubakar netted the contest's lone goal in the 2nd minute of stoppage time, and subsequently received his second booking and dismissal for removing his shirt during his celebration.
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Italia 1990: Reaching the Quarter-Finals
Cameroon qualified for the 1990 World Cup by surpassing Nigeria and beating Tunisia in the final round playoff. In the final tournament, Cameroon were drawn into Group B with Argentina, Romania and the Soviet Union. Cameroon defeated defending champions Argentina in the opening game 1-0 with a goal scored by François Omam-Biyik. Cameroon later defeated Romania 2-1 and lost to the Soviet Union 0-4, becoming the first side to top a World Cup Finals group with a negative goal difference.
In the quarter-finals, Cameroon faced England. After 25 minutes, England's David Platt scored for England, while in the second-half, Cameroon came back with a 61st-minute penalty from Emmanuel Kundé and took the lead with Eugène Ekéké on 65 minutes. England, however, equalized in the 83rd minute with a penalty from Gary Lineker, while Lineker again found the net via a 105th-minute penalty to make the eventual scoreline 3-2 for England. They were the first African team to reach the quarter-final of the World Cup in 1990, losing to England in extra time.
Cameroon qualified for the 2002 World Cup in Korea-Japan, clinching first place in their group which included Angola, Zambia and Togo. Cameroon were drawn into Group E alongside Germany, the Republic of Ireland and Saudi Arabia. Cameroon started with a 1-1 draw with Ireland after giving up the lead and later defeated Saudi Arabia 1-0.
Cameroon started the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations competition with a 1-1 draw to Burkina Faso, followed by a 2-1 win against Guinea-Bissau, and an unconvincing goalless draw against the hosts Gabon. These results were enough for Cameroon to qualify from the group stage to the quarter-finals, where they met Senegal in a close match that Cameroon won 5-4 in a penalty shootout after it had ended goalless in extra time.
After the dramatic qualification process for the previous World Cup, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon had to wait until the last day to secure their ticket for the AfCoN 2023 (scheduled to be played in January 2024) in Ivory Coast. Despite a relatively favorable draw for the qualifiers, which included Namibia, Burundi, and Kenya (the latter eliminated due to administrative interference), the Cameroonian team faced significant challenges. They struggled against the modest Namibian team, managing a 1-1 draw in Yaoundé and then suffering a 2-1 loss in South Africa. After securing a 1-0 victory over Burundi in the first leg, they needed to confirm their qualification in the second leg to avoid missing out on the continent's most prestigious competition, which would have meant watching it on television.
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Controversies Surrounding Kits
Cameroon used sleeveless Puma shirts at the 2002 African Cup of Nations in Mali, which they won for the fourth time. FIFA, however, did not allow Cameroon to use the same kits as at the 2002 World Cup, and black sleeves were added to the shirts.
The 2004 African Cup of Nations witnessed Cameroon again run into controversy regarding their kits. Puma had designed a one-piece kit for the Cameroon team which FIFA declared illegal, stating that the kits must have separate shirts and shorts. FIFA then imposed fines on Cameroon and deducted six points from their qualifying campaign. Puma argued that a two-piece kit is not stated as a requirement in the FIFA laws of the game.
Roger Milla [Best Skills & Goals]
Key Players and Moments
Several players have left their mark on Cameroon's football history:
- Roger Milla: Cameroon's top goalscorer at FIFA World Cup finals, also holds the record as the oldest player to ever score at a FIFA World Cup. Roger Milla won the Bronze Boot in 1990 and the oldest player to play and score in a World Cup finals match.
- Samuel Eto'o: A prominent figure in Cameroonian football, known for his contributions in various tournaments.
- Marc-Vivien Foé: Remembered for his tragic death during the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Notable moments include:
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- Cameroon's victory over Argentina in the opening game of the 1990 World Cup.
- Reaching the quarter-finals of the 1990 World Cup.
- Becoming the first African country to defeat Brazil at the World Cup in 2022.
Match against Kenya
The Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) has announced a venue change for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match between Cameroon and Kenya. This decision follows a thorough inspection carried out by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) from September 26 to 28, 2024, where various venues in Cameroon were evaluated. The venues under review included Ahmadou Ahidjo, Olembe, Japoma, Kouekong, and Limbe Stadiums. FECAFOOT, recognizing the importance of the upcoming match, calls on fans of the “Indomitable Lions” of Cameroon to demonstrate their usual support and mobilization.
Cameroon's World Cup Appearances
Cameroon has qualified for the FIFA World Cup eight times, more than any other African team, and four times in a row between 1990 and 2002. However, the team has only made it out of the group stage once.
Here's a summary of Cameroon's World Cup appearances:
| World Cup | Result |
|---|---|
| 1982 | Group Stage |
| 1990 | Quarter-Finals |
| 1994 | Group Stage |
| 1998 | Group Stage |
| 2002 | Group Stage |
| 2010 | Group Stage |
| 2014 | Group Stage |
| 2022 | Group Stage |
