Cameroon was drawn in Group E alongside Germany, Republic of Ireland and Saudi Arabia in the group stage of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Many thought the Indomitable Lions were going to qualify alongside Germany but they finished third after drawing 1-0 with the Republic of Ireland, won 1-0 against Saudi Arabia and lost 2-0 to Germany. They got just four points and finished 3rd in the group and subsequently exited the tournament.
Under the tutelage of German tactician Winfred Schafer, Cameroon entered the 2002 FIFA World Cup having won the AFCON back-to-back. They were the defending champions of the Olympic Games so they were in high spirits.
Former Indomitable goalkeeper Carlos Kameni has revealed why Cameroon failed in the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
“I arrived in this team in 2002 and I found some gentlemen. I was young but I was happy to be on the sidelines because, in front of me, there were gentlemen, men of values,” said Kameni.
Rigobert Song, Raymond Kalla, Lauren, Geremi Njetap, Patrick M’boma, Pius N’diefi, Marc Vivien Foe, Djemba Djemba Eric and Salomon Olembe were top-notch footballers who were part of the Cameroonian team that went to Japan-Korea 2002.
“After winning the 2002 African Cup, we did a month of preparation in a bush in Holland working like soldiers.
“We worked like crazy and had 90-minute sessions three times a day. But because of the bonus problem, we screwed everything up,” revealed Kameni.
The issue of bonuses has bedevilled Cameroon for a long time and it is still hurting them. In the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Cameroon was humiliated in Group A as the team was disorganised due to bonuses issues. Brazil, Croatia and Mexico destroyed Cameroon in Brazil
“And I remember, it was the departure of Etame Mayer. After the competition, he called me into his room to have me try on some outfits he wanted to give me and then he told me he was never coming back. I tell you, it was a team of killers who wanted to fight but the organization was very poor,” concluded the former Espanyol goalkeeper Kameni.
Cameroon was a powerful side that had conquered the African continent back-to-back and was looking very fearful ahead of the 2002 FIFA World Cup but failed to the surprise of many. Talking of poor organization, Cameroon suffered the same ahead and during the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.
