Cameroon coach Rigobert Tune performed down recommendations that his crew are beneath unfair stress from former star Samuel Eto’o, who predicted an all-African World Cup ultimate between his nation and Morocco earlier than the match started.
Tune, whose facet face Serbia in Group G on Monday, denied a rift with ex-Inter Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea striker Eto’o and mentioned the expectations set by his daring prediction was not the explanation for Cameroon’s 1-0 loss to Switzerland of their opener.
The Indomitable Lions haven’t gained a World Cup group recreation since beating Saudi Arabia in 2002 when Eto’o, now president of the Cameroonian Soccer Federation, was the final participant to attain a winner for the nation.
“The president of the federation is enthusiastic about soccer. He was a footballer himself, he lives, breathes and desires soccer however he doesn’t put any burden or stress on our shoulders,” Tune informed reporters on Sunday.
“That isn’t why my gamers didn’t rating towards Switzerland. I might say generally he even desires to placed on the jersey and get out on the pitch to play, as a result of he desires to provide the whole lot.
“The president is a gentleman who could be very supportive… and straightforward to speak to. He’s open and we talk quite a bit.”
Third-placed Cameroon and backside facet Serbia – who misplaced 2-0 to pre-tournament favourites Brazil – will head into Monday’s conflict figuring out that one other defeat would go away them scrambling to succeed in the final 16.
With Cameroon dealing with Brazil of their ultimate group recreation, Tune backed his gamers step up towards Serbia and earn a victory.
“We all know precisely what’s in retailer for us,” Tune mentioned. “It is going to be a decisive recreation and we’re nicely ready. We all know what we’ve got to do, we’ve got the suitable mindset.
“We’re raring to go. We will’t look ahead to the whistle to blow so we are able to get all the way down to enterprise… I believe you will note a special facet to this Cameroon crew and we are going to silence our critics.”