Cameroon 2022 World Cup Preview: Star Forwards Lead a Group Underdog

The Indomitable Lions were dealt a difficult assignment in Qatar, where they’ll hope to put an end to a 20-year wait for another win on the World Cup stage.

With national legend Samuel Eto’o presiding as federation president, the Indomitable Lions booked their ticket to the World Cup in stunning fashion in March by upsetting Algeria. Trailing 2–1 on aggregate in the second leg of the World Cup qualifying playoff, Karl Toko Ekambi scored in the fourth minute of stoppage time in extra-time to punch his nation’s World Cup ticket on away goals. While there is plenty to argue about how Cameroon arrived, it will look to make its mark in a group where most have it pegged to finish last.

After the nation finished third in the African Cup of Nations it hosted last winter, Cameroon dismissed Toni Conceição and brought in soccer legend Rigobert Song for the qualifying playoff. Song, the uncle of former national team midfielder Alex Song, got the job done despite his coaching experience being limited to just the Cameroon national team youth setup. A former Liverpool and West Ham defender, the 46-year-old is Cameroon’s all-time appearances leader with 137 caps and played in four World Cups.

But other than the World Cup playoff triumph, Cameroon has struggled under Song with four losses in seven matches so far. One of the most concerning issues is that Cameroon has been shut out in five of its last nine games despite its top players mostly coming at the forward position. The Indomitable Lions will arrive with some top-level talent spread around Europe, such as Napoli midfielder André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Inter Milan goalkeeper André Onana and Bayern Munich forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. But a massive challenge awaits in Qatar.

Group G Schedule (all times Eastern)

- Switzerland, Nov. 25, 5 a.m.

- Serbia, Nov. 28, 5 a.m.

- Brazil, Dec. 2, 2 p.m.

Coach

Rigobert Song, hired in February 2022

Choupo-Moting has been in top scoring form for his club, Bayern Munich :: Ulrik Pedersen/ZUMA Wire/Imago Images

Players to Watch

Vincent Aboubakar, forward

The 30-year-old striker has been scoring goals from Cameroon for more than a decade. Aboubakar’s 33 career international goals for Cameroon is only surpassed by African soccer royalty in Eto’o and Roger Milla. Aboubakar, who plays for Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, made his biggest mark on the international stage at the African Cup of Nations last winter. The forward scored eight of the country’s 14 goals in the tournament, winning the golden boot and helping lead the host to a third-place finish. Aboubakar brings plenty of experience, and a ruthless nose for goal, to Qatar, where he will be counted upon as Cameroon’s biggest hope.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, forward

Cameroon’s star power lies in its forwards, who complement each other perfectly. While Aboubakar leads the line and holds up play, Choupo-Moting is given space to use his creativity on the wing or pair up as another central forward to give the defense fits. After two years with Paris Saint-Germain, Choupo-Moting is enjoying the start of his third season at Bayern Munich with 10 goals in all competitions, helping fill the gap left by Robert Lewandowski’s exit. He will need to continue that form and add to his total of 18 international goals for Cameroon to stand a chance.

André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, midfielder

After making 30 appearances while on loan from Fulham last season, Napoli made Zambo Anguissa’s loan permanent ahead of this year—and it has sure paid off. Zambo Anguissa fills all of the holes in defensive midfield for Napoli, which only suffered its first loss of the season earlier this month against Liverpool. The 26-year-old is extremely good at holding the ball under pressure and he is a firewall known for stopping opposing attacks early with his ability to press. It won’t take long to notice Zambo Anguissa—he can be seen all across the pitch and has the stamina and work rate to last.

Mbuemo is one of Cameroon’s newest arrivals and could make his mark in Qatar :: Seokyong Lee/Penta Press/Imago Images

Breakout Candidate

Bryan Mbeumo, winger 

Cameroon welcomed the arrival of the Brentford winger when he announced his switch from France to Cameroon in August. The 23-year-old came up through the French youth system before switching allegiances to his father’s home country and now should bolster the side’s attack just in time for Qatar. In his first season in the Premier League, Mbeumo logged four league goals, and he has already scored a couple more this season. Mbeumo can also play at wingback, providing Song with another option and some tactical flexibility if needed.

World Cup History

- Eighth appearance

- Last appearance: 2014 (Group stage)

- Best finish: Quarterfinals in 1990

Outlook and Expectations

In 1990, Cameroon became the first African team to make the quarterfinals of the World Cup—it has played in all but two World Cups since. But even just a win at this World Cup would be a massive accomplishment, let alone making the knockout stage. So much of the team’s fortunes looks to fall in the hands of its talented forwards, but its defense will come in as one of the weakest in the tournament while Zambo Anguissa will be left to deal with the strong midfields and attacks of Brazil, Switzerland and Serbia.

Cameroon lost to Brazil in the 2014 World Cup when they shared a group, and that 4–1 scoreline could very well be repeated in Qatar. The Indomitable Lions’ best hope is to take points from games against Switzerland and Serbia and hope that Brazil is already through by the time they meet in the group finale. Cameroon has won only one game at the World Cup since 1990 (in 2002 against Saudi Arabia), and its real goal should be to try to end that 20-year winless streak (0-7-0) in Qatar. Anything after that would be a massive bonus.

World Cup Squad

GOALKEEPERS: Devis Epassy (Abha), Andre Onana (Inter Milan), Simon Ngapandouetnbu (Marseille)

DEFENDERS: Jean-Charles Castelletto (Nantes), Enzo Ebosse (Udinese), Collins Fai (Al-Tai), Olivier Mbaizo (Philadelphia Union), Nicolas Nkoulou (Aris), Nouhou Tolo (Seattle Sounders), Christopher Wooh (Rennes)

MIDFIELDERS: Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli), Samuel Gouet (Mechelen), Martin Hongla (Hellas Verona), Pierre Kunde (Olympiacos), Jerome Ngom (Colombe Dja), Olivier Ntcham (Swansea City), Gael Ondoua (Hannover 96)

FORWARDS: Vincent Aboubakar (Al-Nassr), Christian Bassogog (Shanghai Shenhua), Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (Bayern Munich), Karl Toko Ekambi (Lyon), Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford), Moumi Ngamaleu (Dynamo Moscow), Georges-Kevin Nkoudou (Besiktas), Jean-Pierre Nsame (Young Boys), Marou Souaibou (Coton Sport)