SONG DENIES ETO’O AGGRO
RIGOBERT SONG denied Cameroon have been put under unfair pressure by their legendary former star Samuel Eto’o.
Eto’o, now president of the Cameroon Football Federation, predicted an all-African World Cup final between Cameroon and Morocco before the tournament began.
Song insisted that bold prediction from the former Chelsea, Inter Milan and Barcelona striker was not the reason his side performed so badly in their 1-0 opening defeat to Switzerland.
And Song, whose side face Serbia today, denied there was a rift with Eto’o, against a backdrop of rumours of interference – including in squad selection – from their former star.
“The president of the federation is passionate about football,” said Song.
“I would say sometimes he even wants to put on the jersey and get out on the pitch to play, because he wants to give everything.
“But that is not why my players didn’t score against Switzerland. The president is very supportive.
“He was a footballer himself, he lives, breathes and dreams football, but he does not put any burden or stress on our shoulders.
“The president is easy to talk to, he is open and we communicate a lot.”
Cameroon and Serbia lost their opening games, with both nations aware another defeat would leave them struggling to make the last 16. With Cameroon facing Brazil in their final group game, Song knows his side must win today – and predicted his players will show a different side.
“We know exactly what is in store for us,” said Song. “It will be a decisive game and we are well prepared.
“I think you will see a different side to this Cameroon team and we will silence our critics.”
Cameroon are playing in their eighth World Cup but have not beaten a European team since their 1990 Roger Milla-inspired win over Romania.
Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic said: “I hope we will be able to tame the lion, but it’s not easy to play against them because lions are very strong and fierce animals.
“As a team, we have to be equal in defence and attack. We have to know what we’re doing on the pitch at all times.”
Stojkovic is pondering whether to start with a front two of Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic and Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, who has just shaken off a groin injury.
Mitrovic started the 2-0 loss to Brazil but looked jaded, as did Vlahovic when he came on.
“Whether Mitrovic or Vlahovic will start together, we’ll see,” Stojkovic said. “But I know who will be on the bench, which wasn’t the case against Brazil.”
That’s because the squad arrived in Qatar with eight players who were not yet fully fit, Stjokovic revealed.
“People asked me at the time why I wasn’t smiling. That was why, but I couldn’t say anything or everyone would have known.”