CAMEROON COACH: My players made the difference

In a thrilling Nations Cup final showdown in Gabon on Sunday, the Indomitable lions of Cameroon came from behind to beat the Pharaohs of Egypt 2-1 to lift their fifth Africa Cup of Nations trophy.

Cameroon were considered underdogs, as about seven players, including Liverpool’s Joel Matip, turned down a place in the squad, leaving the national team manager to deploy mostly young players for the AFCON.

But vindicated Coach Broos, who led his side to victory against the seven-time champions, has praised the spirit of unity and motivation in his team, saying, the newly-crowned African champions were more than a group of football players and that made the difference.

“I am happy for the group, for the players. This is not a group of football players, this is a group of friends. That’s why the players who are on the bench keep motivation. Against Senegal, against Ghana and today against Egypt, these players made the difference,” the Belgian said in a post-match conference.

“It’s true that when I came to Cameroon a year ago I found a group of players who were not motivated so I had to change that.

Read Also: Cameroon stun Egypt to claim 5th Nations Cup title

“They were coming not to play for the national team but because they had to, because the coach asked them to come. So I changed the group a little bit and put some young players in and we started working and doing a good job.

“We have a team that is still not on the highest level. We can be better, but I think it is only the beginning.

“What really matters to me is results. I am delighted that we have won this trophy. This shows we have worked well – especially during the last months.

“What I told people when I came to Cameroon was that people have to be patient and correct and fair.

“I have no problem when a journalist criticises my choices, but when you are criticising you have to be objective so I hope that now we have won the trophy, I hope our relationship [Broos and the media] will be correct.”

Cameroon, together with Zambia and Algeria, are in the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying group with Nigeria.

And the Super Eagles, who are currently topping the group, will be playing the Indomitable Lions at home and away by August this year.

 

 

 

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