Cameroon’s major bet for the World Cup is entrusting its campaign on one of its finest players.
Despite having no management experience outside of Cameroon’s junior structures, Rigobert Song, a highly respected former captain, was appointed coach in February.
Cameroon won a two-legged playoff against Algeria in March to qualify for the tournament in Qatar, but only after a last-ditch goal by Karl Toko Ekambi four minutes into injury time in the second game.
The team’s subsequent defeats in World Cup warm-up matches against Uzbekistan and South Korea served as a wake-up call and sparked concerns about whether Song’s old teammate and federation president Samuel Eto’o replaced Toni Conceicao too quickly.
Song participated in eight African Cups, four World Cups, and won two African titles, and made a record-breaking 137 appearances for his country. But in his new position, he still hasn’t won everyone over.
Cameroon is in Group G with Brazil, Switzerland, and Serbia.
