Cameroon midfielder Stephane Mbia compared the tense atmosphere in the Indomitable Lions’ World Cup camp to that in the chaotic French one on Monday.
Mbia said a series of poor results can poison any atmosphere no matter how close the squad and the African side’s opening 1-0 defeat by Japan had exposed internal tensions.
Most tension was focused around Cameroon coach Paul Le Guen’s decision to play star player Samuel Eto’o out on the right in the Japan game.
PHOTO: AFP
When moved back into his more accustomed center-forward position, the Inter striker was to score their only goal in the 2-1 defeat by Denmark on Saturday which confirmed the west Africans’ elimination from the tournament.
Having seen the French camp descend into chaos following the expulsion of striker Nicolas Anelka, Mbia said: “It surprised me a little, but finally it is almost the same situation with us.”
“Difficulties are always linked to results. I urge them [the French] to be courageous, to try and iron out their problems as quickly as possible,” he said.
“When the results go for you, then there are none of these tensions,” added the 24-year-old, who knows French soccer well having come into the finals fresh from helping Olympique Marseille win the French league title.
Mbia — who made his international debut in 2005 — said he hoped French coach Le Guen would remain with Cameroon, although it was reported earlier on Monday that he was going to be Australia’s coach after the World Cup finals.
“The coach is a good guy and right,” said Mbia, who began his club career with Rennes. “It is up to the federation directors to see that he stays. Me personally, I would love for him to stay. Now he knows how things function in terms of the national side and it would be no bad thing if he remained. Between clubs and the national side, there is a huge difference. In terms of the national side, you have to take into account the politics, especially in Africa.”
“He [Le Guen] understood that. He had some forgetful moments, but he did a good job,” he said.
Mbia admitted that morale in the camp was not good as they await their final group match against table-toppers the Netherlands in Cape Town tomorrow.
The Dutch have already booked their ticket to the round-of-16 with two wins from two matches and need a point to confirm they win the group.
“Morale is very, very low,” Mbia said. “We are very, very disappointed. We don’t have the right to be eliminated like that. We are going through all the emotions, there is even self-hate. We have regrets. Everyone must look at themselves in the mirror.”
“Before the first match, there wasn’t a good atmosphere and it is important to tell the truth, and in the days to come, there will be problems to be sorted out. The objective of the last match against the Dutch is simple: we have to try and raise our heads,” he said. “The honor of the country is at stake and we have to save it. It is imperative that the best players start because we must win. The rest is secondary.”
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