Cameroon hopeful of U20's success
by Franck Happi 25 July 2011, 22:47
Hopes are now high in Cameroon that the junior national team will shine in the Fifa Under-20 World Cup to kick off in Colombia on Friday.
After the misfortunes of the senior team, Cameroonians are now pegging their hopes on the team that came close to winning the African U20 Youth Championships some three months ago in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Last Saturday the technical team published the final list of 21 players selected to represent the nation in the youth tourney.
Team coach Ndtoungou Mpile published the list as the squad is rounding off training in Venezuela.
The team will fly into Colombia on Tuesday, few days before the competition kicks off.
The Cubs kick off their campaign against New Zealand before clashing with Portugal in the second game.
They will end the first round in a duel with South American giants, Uruguay.
While it appears a difficult first round for the squad, the coach has expressed confidence in his players and he hopes to make it to semifinal.
Cameroon will be participating in the tournament alongside three other African representatives; Nigeria Egypt and Mali.
Even though it is in its sixth participation, the junior lions are yet to climb the podium.
With the promising talent in the team and their performance in South Africa, Cameroon fans are expressing optimism that the Cubs will shine.
Squad:
Goalkeepers:
Thierry Tangouantio, Jean Efala; Eric Ngana
Defenders: Eric Nyatchou, Ambroise Oyongo, Banana Yaya, Ghislain Mvom, Idriss Nguessi, Serge Tchaha, Maxime Mengue, Jushua Mbuluba
Midfielders: Edgar Salli, Emmanuel Mbongo, Clarence Bitang, Franck Kom, Yazid Atouba, Herve Mbega.
Forwards: Franck Ohandza, Yannick Makota, Christ Mbondi, Eric Same