by J.David Mihamlé, Yaoundé, Cameroon, January 1998
THEME = SPORT
Who'll lead the "Indomitable
Lions", Cameroon's national football team, into the next
World Cup?
An interview with French trainer, Jean Claude Suaudeau in August
1997,
once again started tongues wagging
No sooner had Cameroon secured its place in the next World Cup, by defeating Zimbabwe in Harare, 2-0, than questions were asked about the "Indomitable Lions'" trainer. It all started on 19 August 1997, with Jean Claude Suaudeau, (French), FC-Nantes' former trainer, being interviewed in the weekly France Football. Suaudeau made no secret of his ambition to lead Cameroon to France for the 1998 World Cup. He said he was also very keen to obtain the services of Jean Vincent to help him in his project. (In 1982, Vincent had led the "Indomitable Lions" to the World Cup finals in Spain). The news of Suaudeau's intentions, was enough to rouse the hackles of all those who are against having a "foreign trainer" in charge of the national team. The Press jumped at the opportunity and made the most of it. The Messager which is published three times each week and is edited in Douala, stated bluntly: "Cameroon doesn't need a white trainer". Mutation, a Yaounde weekly, put it rather more subtly: "Does Cameroon need a white trainer"? Mr.Samuel Makon Wehiong, is Cameroon's Youth and Sports Minister. When asked on a TV programme to comment on the press statements, he said: "The question of recruiting a new national trainer is not up for discussion". He even sent a letter congratulating the four Cameroonian trainers, led by Jean Manga Onguéné, who had just replaced the Belgian, Henri Depireux, sacked on account of his outspokenness, (offensive to certain veiled interests).
In spite of these appeasing words and gestures, the sporting public remains sceptical. And for good reason: Cameroon has the annoying habit of removing trainers at the last minute - trainers who, nevertheless, have certainly proved their worth in the eliminating matches.
Zutie Branco is Yugoslavian, and experienced this situation in 1982. Having seen Cameroon through to qualifying for the final rounds of the World Cup in Spain, he was unfairly sacked and replaced by Jean Vincent. During his two months of work, Vincent pocketed some 500,000 FF, plus bonuses and privileges. His "achievements"?: Cameroon lost all 3 matches against Peru, Poland and Italy. In 1994, same scenario: Leonard Nseke, a Cameroonian, was sacked as the Indomitable Lions' manager, in spite of seeing his team through to qualifying for the prestigious finals of the 1994 World Cup in the United States. Henri Michel, former France trainer for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, took his place and his results were disastrous: Cameroon didn't get past the first round: in matches against Sweden (2-2), Brazil (0-3), Russia (1-6), they conceded 11 goals and only managed to score 3. The one and only Cameroonian goal against Russia bore the stamp of the tireless Roger Milla, then aged 38.
This propensity for choosing expatriate trainers, on the eve of a World Cup may be explained by the unfavourable socio-cultural atmosphere in Cameroon concerning nationals. A foreigner is obviously free from tribal or political pressures, detrimental to any team in a leading position. During his time with the "Indomitable Lions" (1984-1988), French trainer, Claude Le Roy, regularly chose 8 players from the Bassa tribe, strictly on the merit of their talent and efficiency. With a Cameroonian trainer, this would have been difficult, if not impossible. Accusations of "tribalism" would have been hurled around.
With just a few months to go before the World Cup gets under way on 12 June, Cameroonians are, on the whole, hostile to a foreigner being in charge of their national team. They trust their own. Xenophobia? Chauvinism? Interference? Difficult to say.
In a country where football is like a religion, it's difficult to see how the Youth and Sports Minister could take the risk of upsetting a public, already in favour of the present managerial staff. Besides, during the last presidential elections, the four Cameroonian trainers (Manga Onguéné, Sadi Jean Pierre, Wansi Dominique and Akono Jean Paul) supported President Biya. Urged on by Jean Paul Akono, they organised a noisy support march (widely broadcast by the State media) in the city streets. Observers interpreted this as a clear message addressed to the decision-making appointments body, who for the moment at least, understood what was required of them.
With all this as background, up comes "Coco" Suaudeau with his spectacular offer! In Cameroon, you never know what's going to happen, so, let's wait and see!
END
PeaceLink 1998 - Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgement