Cameroonian football legend and ambassador for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, Samuel Eto'o, went far in his expectations of his country's performance in the upcoming tournament, stressing that the Untamed Lions will succeed in writing history and making glory, becoming the first African team to win the World Cup title. Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT) president Eto'o has made no secret of the fact that he's expecting big things from his charges at the tournament, which kicks off on Nov. 20, even though they head into the competition ranked 43rd in the world.
Samuel Eto'o in an interview with (Qatar2022.qa) said that nothing would equal his joy in watching his country’s national team lift the World Cup at Lusail Stadium on December 18, during the Qatar National Day celebrations, and said: “On that day, the dream will turn into Indeed, winning titles is a dream for any player. As president of the Cameroon Football Federation, I will be overwhelmed with unspeakable happiness by winning the World Cup for my country.” According to Eto'o, who took part in four World Cups with Cameroon but never reached the knockout stages, the 2022 tournament represents Africa's best opportunity yet to finally get their hands on the grandest prize in football.Eto'o's optimistic expectations were not limited to Cameroon only, but also included all five African teams participating in the World Cup, where Morocco is expected to qualify for the final to face Cameroon, and all African teams reach the round of 16, and Cameroon, Morocco and Senegal top their groups in the tournament. FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 ambassador continued: "African teams have what qualifies them to perform well in the World Cup, but so far we have not done our best during our participation in the World Cup. We have learned from previous tournaments, and our experience increases with each participant, and I think that honorable performance is no longer That's enough. We are now ready for the coronation." The Cameroonian star, who participated in four World Cups, drew the map for Cameroon and Moroccan teams to reach the final, expecting that Cameroon will beat Belgium in the quarter-finals and overthrow Senegal, the holder of the African Cup of Nations in the semi-finals, that Morocco will pass through Spain in The round of sixteen, and put an end to Portugal's adventure in the quarter-finals, before eliminating the hopes of the World Cup-holders France in the semi-finals, to reach the expected final to face its Cameroonian counterpart in an all-African final. On his expectations for the host country, Eto'o, who won the Golden Ball award as the best player in Africa with a record four times, said that Qatar’s Al- Annabi team will skip the group stage, and will achieve a major surprise by eliminating the England team in the round of sixteen and reaching the quarter-finals. Samuel Eto'o touched on the development of the Qatari team's performance, saying: “Qatar national team has done well over the past years, and gained good experiences, from its participation in many continental tournaments around the world. I think that Al-Annabi will be a surprise to other teams because of its elements of Outstanding skills." In terms of individual awards, the Cameroonian star met all his expectations for his country's players, as he nominated Karl Toko Ekambi to win the Ballon d'Or, Vincent Aboubakar for the Golden Boot award, and Andre Onana for the Golden Glove award, the best goalkeeper in the tournament.
Cameroonian is the most featured African team in the World Cup, as its presence in the World Cup Qatar 2022 represents its eighth participation in the World Cup, since it qualified for the tournament for the first time in Spain in 1982, and is the first African team to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Italy 1990.
The Untamed Lions team plays in the World Cup in Group G, which includes Brazil, Switzerland, and Serbia. Al- Janoub Stadium will host two matches for Cameroon in the group stage, starting with Switzerland on November 24, then its match with Serbia four days later, before moving to Lusail Stadium, the largest stadium in the tournament, in its expected confrontation with Brazil at the end of the group stage competitions.