Cameroon - Team Profile

Manager : Volker Finke

Best finish: Quarter-finals (1990)

World Cup record: Played 23, Won 4, Drawn 7, Lost 12

History

Trailblazers for Africa, Cameroon first set the standard with an unbeaten run in the group stages in Spain in 1982. Eight years later they shocked holders Argentina and then Romania, before a win over Colombia and an unfortunate 3-2 defeat to England. The group stages have been the height of it ever since, in 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010.

Whiteboard

German Finke keeps it conventional at the back with a solid bank of four, marshalled by Aurelien Chedjou of Galatasaray. In front of him Barcelona's Alex Song is the lynchpin for a three-man central midfield that usually includes Jean Makoun of Rennes. Two widemen offer support to central striker Samuel Eto'o of Chelsea.

All Star - Samuel Eto’o

The 33-year-old says ‘foolish’ reports of his demise are greatly exagerrated and he is planning for two more World Cups. His departure from Anzhi Makachkala for Chelsea at the start of last season pleased Finke and revitalised the veteran striker somewhat, even if his numbers bore little resemblance to his tallies earlier in his career. Eto’o is still the main man for country if not club.

County Colours - Carlow

Colourful and capable of a surprise, but no one takes them too seriously

Pundit’s corner - Dwight Yorke

"Cameroon, Dwight, what are their chances?"

“Well, yes, it is isn’t it?”

"It certainly is. Thanks Dwight"

Prospects

The fact they play Brazil last in Group A may work in their favour and they will hope to go into that game with points on the board and the pressure off. However, their qualification campaign did not inspire confidence and though they were convincing in their 4-1 play-off win over Tunisia, they benefitted earlier in the campaign from the overturning of a defeat to Togo who fielded an ineligible player. They look unlikely to make the knockout rounds.

FINAL SQUAD

Goalkeepers: 1 Loic Feudjou (Coton Sport), 16 Charles Itandje (Konyaspor/Tur), 23 Sammy Ndjock (Fetihespor/Tur).

Defenders: 2 Benoit Assou-Ekotto (Tottenham Hotspur/Eng), 3 Nicolas Nkoulou (Marseille/Fra), 4 Cedric Djeugoue (Coton Sport), 5 Dany Nounkeu (Besiktas/Tur), 12 Henri Bedimo (Lyon, Fra), 14 Aurelien Chedjou (Galatasaray/Tur ), 22 Allan Nyom (Granada, Esp).

Midfielders: 6 Alex Song (Barcelona/Esp), 7 Landry Nguemo (Bordeaux, Fra), 8 Benjamin Moukandjo (Nancy, Fra), 11 Jean Makoun (Rennes, Fra), 17 Stephane Mbia (QPR, Eng), 18 Eyong Enoh (Antalyaspor, Tur),  20 Edgar Salli (Lens, Fra), 21 Joel Matip (Schalke, Ger).

Forwards: 9 Samuel Eto'o (Unattached), 10 Vincent Aboubakar (Lorient, Fra), 13 Eric Choupo Moting (Mainz, Ger), 15 Pierre Webo (Fenerbahce, Tur), 19 Fabrice Olinga (Zulte-Waregem/Bel on loan from Malaga/Esp).

STARTING LINE-UPS

CAMEROON (v Mexico): 16 Charles Itandje; 4 Cedric Djeugoue, 3 Nicolas Nkoulou (5 Dany Nounkeu, 46 mins, yc), 4 Cedric Djeugoue, 2 Benoit Assou-Ekotto; 6 Alex Song (15 Pierre Webo, 79 mins), 17 Stephane Mbia, 18 Eyong Enoh; 8 Benjamin Moukandjo, 9 Samuel Eto'o, 13 Eric Choupo Moting.

CAMEROON (v Croatia): 16 Charles Itandje; 17 Stephane Mbia, 3 Nicolas Nkoulou, 14 Aurelien Chedjou (5 Dany Nounkeu, half-time), 2 Benoit Assou-Ekotto; 6 Alex Song (rc), 21 Joel Matip, 18 Eyong Enoh, 13 Eric Choupo Moting (20 Edgar Salli, 75 mins);  10 Vincent Aboubakar (15 Pierre Webo, 70 mins), 8 Benjamin Moukandjo.

CAMEROON (v Brazil): 16 Charles Itandje; 22 Allan Nyom, 3 Nicolas Nkoulou, 21 Joel Matip, 12 Henri Bedimo; 17 Stephane Mbia (yc), 7 Landry Nguemo, 18 Eyong Enoh (yc); 13 Eric Choupo Moting (11 Jean Makoun, 81 mins), 10 Vincent Aboubakar (15 Pierre Webo, 72 mins), 8 Benjamin Moukandjo (20 Edgar Salli (yc), 58 mins).