CNA Special AFCON2023: Can Cameroon clinch 6th AFCON trophy?
By Arrey Egbe
- 2023 AFCON Qualifiers stats
- AFCON stats
- Key players to watch out for
- Group pairings
Cameroon picked up their 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) ticket after a hard-fought 3-0 win over Burundi on the last day of play of the 2023 AFCON qualifying games.
After recording 2 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss in 4 games, the five-time African champions occupied the first position in Group C.
The Genesis
Cameroon took part in its first official game in 1956, where they were defeated 2-3 by Belgian Congo. Afterwards, the nation achieved independence from France and Britain and became known as the Federal Republic of Cameroon.
In 1963, the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT) was admitted into CAF and FIFA. Cameroon then participated in its first AFCON in 1970 where, despite winning two out of three matches, they were booted out of the campaign in the group stage. Cameroon later hosted the 1972 edition but failed to win at home.
The Indomitable Lions will go on to qualify for the 1982 AFCON after a decade of missing out on the continental tournament. Cameroon won its first-ever gold medal in 1984.
They finished as runners-up two years later (1986) and clinched a second AFCON trophy in 1988 overpowering Nigeria 1-0.
From 1990 to 2022, the Central African country has made 14 AFCON appearances out of 17. A period during which they grabbed three (3) AFCON trophies – winning two consecutive AFCON titles in 2000 and 2002 and another in 2017.
Key players to watch out for
Aboubakar Vincent
Eric Maxim Tchoupo Moting
Frank Magri
Group pairings
The Indomitable Lions are placed in Group C with reigning champions Senegal who will be eyeing a second consecutive trophy, the Gambia who will be making their second outing at the prestigious African jamboree after their 2021 AFCON debut and two times quarterfinalist (2006 and 2015) Guinea.
Unarguably considered one of Africa’s football giants, the Indomitable Lions will be hoping to leave a lasting mark in Ivory Coast come January.
