Joseph Antoine Bell, a former goalkeeper for Cameroon’s national football team, has voiced his apprehension about the team’s recent performance in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Bell, who was a prominent figure for the Indomitable Lions during his playing days, has expressed doubts about the team’s ability to maintain its previous level of dominance.
Bell’s comments come as Cameroon prepares to face Nigeria in the round of 16.
He remarked, “The Ivorians cannot change because they only beat Guinea Bissau who were last in the group. For the Cameroonians, it’s true, they were enthusiastic, the suspense helping, everyone applauded, and the supporters think that it is the awakening of the Indomitable Lions.
Except that looking at it, the Cameroonians only beat the bottom of the group that everyone beat, and the Cameroonians conceded two goals against the latter who had not scored any goals to the others.”
He went on to caution against excessive optimism following Cameroon’s victory over Gambia, stating, “I think that in reality we really have to pray to say that the Cameroonians have woken up. But waking up against Gambia does not ensure that it will be the same against a group leader. At the start of this competition, Cameroon was not among the favorites. There are only certain Cameroonians who did not want to see this reality.”
Bell also noted the contrasting emotions displayed by the players and supporters, as well as the president of the federation.
He expressed uncertainty about whether the tears shed by the federation’s president were a result of nostalgia for Cameroon’s past glory or genuine joy over the team’s current performance.
These frank and sobering remarks from a respected figure like Bell highlight the concerns surrounding Cameroon’s national team’s performance. As the team progresses in the tournament, it remains to be seen whether they can live up to their historic reputation and restore glory to the Indomitable Lions.
