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Cameroon boss: We did not come just to participate

Rigobert Song says there is constant pressure that comes with being head coach of Cameroon.

Rigobert Song says there is constant pressure that comes with being head coach of Cameroon.

Cameroon have made their intentions clear as they prepare for their TotalEnergies 2023 Africa Cup of Nations opener. 

The five-time AFCON winners

Indomitable Lions boss Rigobert Song looks to be drawing inspiration from the last Cameroonian side that were triumphant at the continental tournament that was also held in Ivory Coast. 

“There is a history between Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire. We were heroes in 1984, and I think we should not forget the history,” he said per CAF. 

“We are a family. We won our first title in here and that’s why we visited the grave of the first president of Cote d’Ivoire when we came here.

“Our goal is to go far in the competition, and why not repeat history and repeat the feat of 1984, we did not come just to participate.”

Read: Cote d’Ivoire boss makes stern AFCON admission 

Cameroon will open their 2023 AFCON campaign with an encounter against Guinea and despite many considering them to be favourites heading into the clash, Song praised the quality of their upcoming opponents. 

“The first matches in such competitions are very important, we will be ready. All teams that will participate in the competition come with certain goals. Guinea is a good team, and we also know who we are going to face, and we will give everything we have,” the manager said. 

“They are a good opponent. When we talk about football there are positives and negatives, and as they qualified for the final tournament and they are here, they deserve it.”

Guinea coach Kaba Diawara, meanwhile, 

““We came with a lot of ambitions, even if we respect everyone, even if we are in the group of death. We prepared well, I am aware of the quality of our players. In sha’Allah [God willing], we are going to have a great competition,” Diawara said per Cameroun Actuel.

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