The Cameroon team knows it is highly anticipated during this CAN 2023. Not bad during the last World Cup and recent winner of the continental trophy (2017), Rigobert Song’s team wants to make a strong impression.
This will perhaps involve a selection of high-level players. One of them could be Nicolas Nkoulou. Returned to his best level, should be included in Cameroon’s final list for the 34th edition of the African Cup of Nations, thus offering considerable reinforcement to the ” Indomitable Lions ” who aspire to win a 6th coronation in this prestigious continental competition.
The Cameroon team with Nkoulou at CAN 2023?
Coach Rigobert Song, eager to strengthen the defensive line with a quality player, plans to include Nicolas Nkoulou in the list of 27 players who will participate in the next CAN. In 13 matches played with Gaziantep FK in the Turkish championship, Nicolas Nkoulou scored two goals and provided an assist.
The native of Yaoundé made his debut with the Cameroon team on November 19, 2008, during the friendly match against South Africa, lost with a score of 2-3. His career includes 81 matches with the Cameroonian selection, crowned with 2 goals and a single assist.
It should be remembered that the Cameroon team will begin the African Cup of Nations on January 15, first facing Guinea, then Senegal (January 19) and Gambia (January 23). The Cameroon team will prepare in particular alongside Saudi Arabia.
According to local press reports, a contingent of 30 players will head to Saudi Arabia for a training camp in Jeddah, starting on December 27. This course, lasting one week, represents a crucial step in the Lions ‘ preparation strategy. It should be noted that not all players will be present from the start, as their clubs may hold them until the beginning of January.
Cameroon team with a well-thought-out plan
Beyond the simple technical and physical preparation, this gathering has a major challenge. Indeed, coach Rigobert Song will be faced with difficult choices, because only 27 players (maximum) will ultimately have the opportunity to claim a place on the plane to Ivory Coast, where the CAN will take place. This means that for three players, the dream of participating in this prestigious continental competition will end at the end of this training course. Decisions will be made based on individual performances and the complementarity of players within the team.
In addition, the first significant test for the Cameroon team will be a friendly match against Equatorial Guinea, scheduled for January 8 in Yaoundé at the end of the camp. This meeting will provide an opportunity to evaluate the cohesion and effectiveness of the group. The Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot), led by the iconic but controversial Samuel Eto’o, is also in talks to organize a second friendly match, highlighting the importance of these confrontations to refine tactics and strategy before the start of the CAN.
The pressure is tangible, both for the players and the technical staff. With its rich footballing heritage, the Cameroon team is scrutinized by its supporters, impatient to see their national team shine on the African scene. With such a crucial stake, each player called up knows that the opportunity to represent their country is within reach and that each training session, each friendly match, could be decisive in the final composition of the team which will fly to the Ivory Coast. The Indomitable Lions will begin their campaign against Guinea on January 15, before facing Senegal four days later, then Gambia on January 23.
Group C is the toughest group of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Coming out of these confrontations with good feelings could take one of the teams present in this group very far in the competition.
