AFRICAN NATIONS CUP: Jon Brodkin, in Mali, gives an analysis of Cameroon's strengths and weaknesses and hints how Ireland might take advantage in Japan
Bad Pitches, the wrong studs and even the colour of a team's shirts have been used to excuse poor performances in the past. But Cameroon have surely set a first in Mali by blaming a party thrown by their prime minister for their unconvincing start.
In explaining a 1-0 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening African Nations Cup match, Cameroon's coach Winfried Schafer pointed not only to nerves but to a function held at the home of the prime minister Paul Biya three days earlier.
"We wanted to go here on the Thursday but we had to go to a reception with the prime minister and by the time we left the airport was shut," he said. "We couldn't get here until Friday and it didn't give us enough time to prepare. We have to get our preparation right for the summer."
Cameroon, who play Ivory Coast today, will almost certainly improve, with Schafer and his players still getting acquainted after the German's appointment in September and everyone pointing to the pressure the team were under to begin with a bang as Nations Cup holders and Olympic champions.
"We were a bit afraid," said the match-winner Patrick Mboma, "and now it's done and we are OK."
The principal reason Cameroon turned to a German coach was to instil discipline and tactics. On Sunday their capacity to play themselves into trouble was evident, with the defender Raymond Kalla getting away with a dummy in a dangerous area and misplaced passes doing self-inflicted damage. The key for Ireland in the World Cup will be to take advantage; Congo did not.
Defensively Cameroon looked susceptible to passes played through the gap between centre-back and full-back. And though Kalla and Rigobert Song's height and physique suggest they will be comfortable with high balls, they were less than assured when Newcastle's Lomana Lua Lua ran at them for Congo. Kalla's lack of pace can be exposed.
Not that saying that to his face looks sensible. The Extremadura player is one of many physically imposing figures in a Cameroon side even Mike Tyson might be wary of brawling with. They use long throws to try to exploit their power and the basketball-style sleeveless jerseys they wore against Congo showed off rippling muscle.
There is skill and athleticism with the strength. In Marseille's Salomon Olembe, Cameroon have a quick midfielder who looks to get forward and their pattern frequently involves moving the ball wide to provide crosses for their forwards, Mboma and the more nimble Samuel Eto'o.
Mboma is not a regular at Parma but he was African Player of the Year in 2000 and his 30-yard goal against Congo highlighted his shooting power and the danger of allowing him space. "To score a goal like that you have to have personality," Schafer said. "And he's got it."
Guardian Service
In the African Nations Cup last night, Nigeria could do no more than draw 0-0 with hosts Mali while in the Gulf Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (also set to meet Ireland in Japan) beat UAE 1-0.
