Brought together in the same group C after the CAN 2024 draw, Senegal and Cameroon will first meet this Monday, October 16 in Lens in a friendly match. But as soon as the draw ended, the shock began with the former Lions of 2002, while waiting for the duel which promises to be bitter as it often is.
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From our special correspondent in Abidjan,
Big clouds hung over the Senegal-Cameroon friendly match on Monday, October 16, threatened with cancellation after the draw. A moment of questioning firstly aroused by the rules of the CAF, the regulations of which stipulate that “ two selections which share the same group cannot meet in a friendly match three months before a competition “. Senegal-Cameroon will take place on January 19, three months and three days after the Lens match. Then, it is certain that the two staff would have preferred not to meet now, in order to still keep a few secrets in view of the January shock. Eventually, ” after consultations (…) it was decided by all stakeholders that the Senegal-Cameroon friendly match on October 16, 2023 in Lens would be maintained », announced the Senegalese Football Federation in a press release.
Njitap: “ It is Senegal which is more vengeful »
The many Lions supporters will be able to get a taste of the clash and a duel that the former players have already started as soon as the draw is over. Khalilou Fadiga, unfortunate finalist with Senegal in 2002 against Cameroon, threw the first barb. “ The matches against Cameroon were always difficult matches, but you are happy to play them. It’s always hot, because on the field we often tried to see who the real Lions were. For now it’s us, since we are the holders of the trophy. »
This does not seem to shake his former opponent Gérémy Njitap, winner in 2002 of the CAN final against Senegal. “ In this group, the pressure is not on the Cameroonians. Senegal, holder of the trophy, is under pressure. And if we look at history, it is Senegal which is more vengeful, because we have considerable victories against Senegal. »
Alassane N’Dour: “ We are no longer afraid »
Senegal-Cameroon stage “two Lions”. “ When there is a fight between them, it is hotly contested », Warns the former Real Madrid and Chelsea player. The president of the Senegalese Football Federation even speaks of a “derby” when describing the poster between the Lions of Téranga and the Indomitables.
For Alassane N’Dour, the psychological ascendancy has now changed sides. “ Senegal-Cameroon, these are matches that are played on the mind. Often, Senegal was good technically and tactically against Cameroon, but the Cameroonians were very strong mentally. Today it’s over. We went to Cameroon and we won the CAN there. We are no longer afraid. »
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