Cameroon: The AFCON hosts ‘killers’ aiming to strike again

By /

The Indomitable Lions have developed a reputation of knocking out AFCON host nations seven times since 1957, and have gone on to claim the title on five occasions. Now, they eye a repeat against Morocco in the quarter-finals.

The sight of dejected Morocco players trudging disconsolately, offering futile thanks to teary supporters and thousands of empty seats, was an image that defined the painful defeat the Atlas Lions suffered at the hands of Cameroon during the semi-final of the AFCON they hosted.

The year was March 23, 1988.

Cyrille Makanaky scored the solitary goal for the Indomitable Lions 12 minutes to stoppage time at the Stade Mohamed V stadium in Casablanca with 45.000 fans watching as Cameroon reached their third straight final.

When the final whistle was blown, tears flowed but the joy was unconfined for their Central African rivals.

“It was a feeling of joy,” Bertin Ebwelle, a member of the 1988 title winning team told Global Voices in an exclusive interview.

“In 1986, we lost in the final against Egypt. We reached the final the following year [1988]. For us, it was truly deserved. It remains etched in our memories,” Ebwelle added.

This marked the second time in AFCON history that Cameroon knocked out a host nation from the competition en route to securing the title.

The first victim of the Central African nation was Côte d’Ivoire. The West African nation hosted the 1984 AFCON.

They needed a win in their final group A clash to advance to the knockout stage but lost 2-0 to Cameroon with about 40,000 fans watching in Abidjan.

Cameroon has a rich history of knocking out AFCON host nations. They have eliminated a host team seven times since 1957, and have gone on to claim the title on five occasions.

Many Cameroonians are impressed by their country’s record and see it as a positive sign for their upcoming clash against Morocco. According to them, the Indomitable Lions will once again overcome adversity.  

Now, they eye a repeat against Morocco in a highly anticipated quarter-final of the 2025 AFCON. like in 1988. Can the Indomitable Lions make it happen again like in 1988?

‘Destined to terrify host countries’

Morocco is hosting the AFCON for the second time after 1988. The Atlas Lions are rightly regarded as potential tournament winners. The team can boast a range of threats in attack and a reliable goalkeeper in Yassine Bounou.

The team’s convincing drive deeper into the tournament has raised expectations that they can finally go on to end their five decades wait for the coveted title.

Morocco has enjoyed an unbeaten run in the competition with three wins and a draw. They have also scored seven goals and conceded just once.

Few teams have been able to match their power. The Atlas Lions-who became the first African nation to reach the semi-final of the FIFA World Cup, are unbeaten in their last 37 home matches with 32 wins and five draws.

The last team to beat them was the Indomitable Lions on November 14, 2009.

But old concerns still exist. They are aware that the one team you do not want to face as AFCON host is Cameroon.

The Indomitable Lions have a knack for producing key moments especially against host nations of the AFCON and Morocco is no stranger to this.

Senegal in 1992, Nigeria in 2000, Mali in 2002, Ghana in 2008, and Gabon in 2017 have suffered the same fate.

“It’s as if Cameroon is destined to terrify the host countries. Not that this is the first time” Ebwelle told Global Voices.

The former Cameroon international added that: “(….) There is pressure in the air for the Moroccans, and I think it will be their nemesis. Having that pressure is a situation that is very good for Cameroon.”

Statistics make an eloquent case for Cameroon heading into the clash with Morocco.

Bonaventure Djonkep, another member of the 1988 AFCON winning team believes it is going to be an acid test for the Indomitable Lions but prescribed “solidarity” to progress to the semi-final.

“Playing against the host countries is always a challenge. So, we need to have the needed morale, a lot of courage, and a lot of clarity, and solidarity,” Djonkep told Global Voices in an interview.

“All 28 players need to be united to go out and get this victory, and in 1988 we were able to do it because everyone was behind us. Now it’s their challenge, and it’s a challenge that Cameroon must be able to overcome,” Djonkep added.

Cameroon football legend Albert Roger Milla was also part of that title winning squad.

Milla told Canal + Sport in an interview that: “(…) it reminds us of 1988 when we defeated Morocco here on their home turf and it was a huge joy.

A huge joy because beating Morocco at home is often very difficult. Our children will try and do the same”.

From doubts to title contenders

Cameroon was far from title talks just two weeks before AFCON, having appointed a new head coach and debuted several new players.

They left out several key players from their squad like Andre Onana, captain Vincent Aboubakar, Eric Mxim Choupo-Moting and Micheal Ngadue Ngadui.

The absence of these players, considered the pillars of the squad, sparked huge debates over the decision of newly appointed head coach David Pagou.

While many questioned such a move to “dump” these players, others believed it is an opportunity for other players like Christian Kofane and Karl Etta Eyong to shine.

But they have thrown their struggles aside and dispelled any suggestion of an early exit at the AFCON.

The Central African nation is through to the last eight of the continent’s most prestigious competition after edging South Africa 2-1 in Rabat.

After being written off, they have emerged as a formidable force and the rising hope of preserving their records.

“I think that if Cameroon wins Friday’s match, they will have only one goal left: to win the trophy,” Ebwelle said.

“I know that the attitude of Cameroonian players is that once you get past the moments of doubt and find yourself at the top, nothing can stop them. They will certainly be thinking about lifting the AFCON trophy,” Ebwelle added.

“When you look at social media, you can see that Moroccans themselves think so too. I think it’s going to be an easy game for Cameroon if we raise our game, it’s possible that we’ll come out victorious once again in this match,”

According to Djonkep, although there are differences between the 1988 and current generations, he is optimistic that the players will “continue the work we started”.

“We were already an established team that had been playing since 1982, 1984, and 1986 but this year it’s a young team that is still being built, so I would like this young team to see it through to the end,”Djonkep  said.

“In 1984, we started winning trophies, we have five, and our concern is that we increase the number of stars on our jersey to regain our level.

“Since 2017, Cameroon’s dominance has waned. And today, the question is whether the lion will regain its claws,”Djonkep revealed.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top