Ageing Eto’o still main hope for Indomitable Lions

Cameroon enter their seventh World Cup finals – the most appearances by an African nation – but have only managed to progress past the group stages just once. They are odds-on at 1/7 to exit at the first hurdle again, or 9/2 to repeat their quarter-finals elimination achievement at Italia 90.

The Indomitable Lions have been placed in Group A for this tournament, along with hosts and competition favourites Brazil, as well as Mexico and Croatia. They are outsiders both to win their pool at 25/1 and qualify at 4/1.

Undoubtedly, the star of the nation is Chelsea striker and Cameroon captain Samuel Eto’o. Although he is in his latter years and this is highly likely to be the 33-year-old’s last World Cup finals, he is the main hope for his country.

The former Barcelona and Inter Milan player has been in inconsistent form this season for his current club, having netted nine times in 21 games. However, he is leading marksman for Cameroon with 55 goals in 112 caps, and is priced with Coral at 200/1 to be tournament top scorer.

National coach Volker Finke has tinkered with his starting XI and formations, changing between variations of 4-3-3 and 4-3-1-2 lineups.

Eto’o should lead at the top in whatever formation his German coach decides, with Pierre Webo of Fenerbahce his likely partner if two are paired up front.

If a sole striker is used, however, then two of Vincent Aboubakar (Lorient), Benjamin Moukandjo (Nancy) or Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (Mainz) will be used out on the wings.

Forward positions are still up for grabs, though, with veteran Mohammadou Idrissou (Kaiserslautern) and 17-year-old prospect Fabrice Olinga (on loan at Zulte Waregem from Malaga) vying for a spot on the plane.

The midfield positions are more assured, as former Arsenal star Alex Song (now at Barcelona) has partnered ex-Aston Villa’s Jean Makoun (Rennes) and Eyong Enoh (Antalyaspor) in five of Finke’s seven lineups since the coach took over the role. Despite the former duo been used in advanced positions on the odd occasion, the country certainly lacks in that area.

Schalke centre back Joel Matip has also been utilised in the middle of the park, and the German-born 22-year-old will be a crucial part for Cameroon in whatever capacity. The 6ft 4in player is certainly one to watch at the finals and, although his nation may not go far, he will see it as the perfect stage to showcase his skills for potential club suitors.

Matip’s favoured position is undoubtedly at the back, and is where he plays the vast majority of his games for Schalke, but has been overlooked by Cameroon bosses in favour of more experienced duo Nicolas N’Koulou (Marseille) and Arurelien Chedjou (Galatasaray).

Going by the last friendly fixture with Portugal, French-born pair Benoit Assou-Ekotto (on loan from Tottenham at QPR) and Allan Nyom (temporarily at Granada from sister club Udinese) will occupy the full back berths.

However, they lost that game 5-1, and with the duo having won barely any caps – 20 and six respectively – their places in the starting XI are not certain. Dany Nounkeu (Besiktas) and Stephane Mbia (Sevilla from QPR) have been used out of position on the right, while Gaetan Bong (Olympiakos) and Henri Bedimo (Lyon) will fight it out for left back.

The number one spot is perhaps more a surprise, with 70-capped Idriss Carlos Kameni set to be overlooked by former Liverpool stopper Charles Itandje.

Malaga’s Kameni is arguably the greatest African keeper in history, but has been out of favour for his club, having managed just a sole Copa del Rey appearance this season and 12 La Liga games in the past three campaigns.