Soccer News of Wednesday, 11 July 2012

Source: Cameroon Tribune

U20 lions Offered Minibus

The U-20 Lions did not come empty handed from Germany. They were offered a mini bus on the occasion of a visit to the manufacturing plant of the Volkswagen Company. The U-20 was in Germany to take part in a friendly training camp in Kassel which ran from July 1st to 10th. During their stay in Germany, the junior lions played two friendly matches against a German third division side, KSV Hessen of Kassel and an unknown Dutch club. Though the results were not favourable to Cameroon, the players acquired some new skills which will certainly help them in the qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations in that category.

Before the training camp in Germany, the U-20 Lions took part in a friendly tournament in South Africa. Only half of the squad that took part in the friendly tournament in South Africa were retained for the German expedition. According to the coach of the U-20 Lions, Engelbert Mbarga, some professionals were called up this time since most European championships are on recess. More so, he stated his desire to constitute a broad database of players who could eventually not only play in that category but also evolve to the senior national team. "The U-20 squad is a nursery for the senior national team", he said adding that the national selection is supposed to be dynamic and only players who prove their mettle are retained. The coach disclosed that the objective for now is to harness the individual talents into a homogenous football squad with special emphasis on ball circulation, defensive and offensive tactics as well as finishing.

The U-20 lions are due to play against Sierra Leone on July 29 for the away leg of the qualifying round of the Africa Cup of Nations and two weeks later, play host to Sierra Leone in Yaounde. The winner of the two matches will face the winner of the duel between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic for the last qualifying round of the tournament by the end of September this year.