Cameroon Defy The Odds
World Soccer|March 2017

Indomitable Lions triumph to claim fifth title

Mark Gleeson
Cameroon Defy The Odds

Cameroon are no strangers to the winners’ podium at the African Nations Cup, but they were not supposed to be standing on it at the end of the 2017 tournament. 

A team in transition and turmoil going into the event emerged out the other end after three weeks as the new African champions, taking the title against all odds and for a fifth time.

Their come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Egypt in the Final, in Libreville, was the culmination of a most unlikely march to the crown, with a squad that was mocked as being a “B team” after a vicious cull of key players in the year leading up to the tournament and then the last-minute defection of eight players who turned down call-ups.

The Indomitable Lions were only really supposed to be in a building phase ahead of their hosting of the 2019 finals. They now have the chance to build a side capable of dominating the African game over the next few years.

It was a classic case of a team entering a tournament without any burden of expectation, finding their feet slowly, riding their luck, taking their opportunities and ultimately proving fit enough to emerge on top after a rigorous three weeks.

Six games in the space of 23 days at the Nations Cup is a tough order by any standards, but in the humidity of central Africa it proved exceedingly taxing, and simple physical conditioning was often the dividing line between teams.

It could have turned out altogether different for Cameroon; indeed it may well have been embarrassing had they not shown some serious strength of character.

Esta historia es de la edición March 2017 de World Soccer.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición March 2017 de World Soccer.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE WORLD SOCCERVer todo
Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
World Soccer

Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer

There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer

time-read
5 minutos  |
July 2024
Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer
World Soccer

Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer

The well-travelled Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer after taking charge of the Philippines-his 11th international coaching role

time-read
4 minutos  |
July 2024
Inter cruise to title number 20
World Soccer

Inter cruise to title number 20

Simone Inzaghi's Internazionale shrug off all challengers before sealing the Serie A title in style against their biggest rivals

time-read
3 minutos  |
July 2024
HAT-TRICK HERO
World Soccer

HAT-TRICK HERO

Ademola Lookman wrote his name into European football's history books with a hat-trick in the Europa League final

time-read
6 minutos  |
July 2024
GOING UP
World Soccer

GOING UP

The story of Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres' career has been one of upward trajectory - and there's plenty more to come from the Sporting superstar

time-read
6 minutos  |
July 2024
Palau soldier on alone
World Soccer

Palau soldier on alone

The isolated Pacific nation faces a long and lonely battle to improve football on the island

time-read
2 minutos  |
July 2024
Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six
World Soccer

Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six

As the Copa Libertadores group stage concludes, a sixth consecutive Brazilian winner is looking likely

time-read
3 minutos  |
July 2024
AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown
World Soccer

AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown

The first edition of the Saudi Pro League's glamorous new era ends with a familiar title winner

time-read
3 minutos  |
July 2024
Disasters brewing
World Soccer

Disasters brewing

There is still a long way to go in World Cup qualifying, but dysfunction reigns at Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria after four matchdays in the group stage

time-read
3 minutos  |
July 2024
Second round of World Cup qualifying underway
World Soccer

Second round of World Cup qualifying underway

Favourites perform largely as expected, yet Cayman Islands dominate the headlines

time-read
3 minutos  |
July 2024