AFCON 2023 Pre-match Analysis: Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in search for AFCON glory battles Guinea

Posted : 15 January 2024

The African Cup of Nations Group C, tagged as the Group of Death, is definitely a fixture to watch, while the first match involving five-time winners, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, will be looking to start on a positive note when they face the National Elephants (Syli Nationale) of Guinea in their opening match on Monday evening.

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon will fancy another chance of winning the AFCON after winning the tournament right on the soil of Cote d'Ivoire in 1984, when they beat Nigeria 3-1 at Stade Bouake. The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon are under intense pressure to start their campaign well against the Syli Nationals.

With heavy expectations on the shoulders of the Indomitable Lions, they should not be too burdened by the weight of expectation, especially after a very average warm-up match that saw them draw 1-1 to Zambia last week.

Cameroon cannot be written off in any competition, especially AFCON, as they are still one of only three countries to ever successfully defend the continental crown. In addition, the Indomitable Lions, who won their fifth AFCON title in Gabon in 2017 when they were unfancied as well, are the second-most successful nation in the history of this competition behind the Pharaohs (seven titles).

Cameroon: Five Highlights Of The Indomitable Lions', 45% OFF

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon are always at their best, especially when they face strong opposition, as they are the only side to have won three AFCON titles in the west of the continent. Their first victory came in the Ivory Coast back in 1984, before their back-to-back triumphs in 2000 and 2002 in Nigeria and Mali, respectively.

While it may be just the opening match of the competition, the importance of getting a result cannot be overstated, as it could be a deciding match in the race for the top two spots if Senegal live up to expectations and win the group.

The Syli Nationals of Guinea, though, are definitely a team to keep an eye on in this competition, and they raised a fair few eyebrows in the lead-up to the competition when they beat Nigeria in their sole warm-up match last week. The National Elephants have improved immensely over the last five to seven years and enter the tournament ranked 15th among African nations, according to the latest FIFA World Rankings.

Guinea coach relies on young talents ahead of AFCON 2023 clash with Cameroon - Africa Cup of Nations

Guinea reached the knockout stages of the last competition and have solid momentum heading into this edition, having only lost one of their last six matches while winning four and drawing one of the other five.

Guinea, coached by Kaba Diawara, have been more successful in the head-to-head battle in recent times, winning the last two encounters in 2021 and 2017. For the game, the Indomitable Lions line-up will be without the services of the influential Brentford attacking midfielder Bryan Mbeumo, who underwent surgery on his ankle last month, which ruled him out of this tournament.

The Indomitable Lions also face uncertainty around their goalkeeper situation since Andre Onana, who is still with his club Manchester United, was granted permission to play for Manchester United against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

The coach, Rigobert Song, also has injury concerns as Vincent Aboubakar sustained an injury in training over the weekend, and reports suggest that the national team's skipper may have to withdraw from the competition.

Guinea have one major problem of their own, and it revolves around the fitness of their star striker Serhou Guirassy, who took a knock to his thigh, which saw him withdraw early in the match against Nigeria last week.

Guirassy has been in superb form for his club, Stuttgart, this season and has already notched up 17 goals in just 14 matches in the Bundesliga this season. Liverpool's Naby Keita is expected to wear the captain's armband for the National Elephants.

Possible starting lineup: Epassy; Castelletto; Wooh; Moukoudi; Tolo; Ntcham; Kemen; Anguissa; Ngamaleu; Ekambi; Magri Guinea's possible starting lineup: Kone; Conte; Jeanvier; Diakhaby; Sylla; Camara; Konate; Keita; Guilavogui; Kamano; and Guirassy.

AFCON 2023 Pre-match Analysis: Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in search for AFCON glory battles Guinea

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