Cameroon national football team

Cameroon played its first match against Belgian Congo in 1956, losing 3–2. They first qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations in 1970, but were knocked out in the first round. Two years later, as host nation, the Indomitable Lions finished third after being knocked out by their neighbours and future champions Congo in the 1972 Africa Cup of Nations. They would not qualify for the competition for another ten years.

Cameroon qualified for its first FIFA World Cup in 1982. With the increase of 16 to 24 teams Cameroon qualified along with Algeria to represent Africa in Spain. Cameroon was drawn into Group 1 with eventual winners Italy, Poland, and Peru. In their first game, Cameroon faced Peru and drew 0–0. They then had a second goalless draw with Poland before a surprise 1–1 draw with Italy. Despite being unbeaten they failed to qualify for the second round having scored fewer goals than Italy.

Two years later, Cameroon qualified for the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations, held in Ivory Coast. They finished second in their first-round group before beating Algeria on penalties in the semi-final. In the final, Cameroon beat Nigeria 3–1 with goals from René N'Djeya, Théophile Abega and Ernest Ebongué to become champions of Africa for the first time.

Cameroon defeated Argentina in the first game of the 1990 World Cup

Cameroon qualified for the 1990 World Cup by surpassing Nigeria and beating Tunisia in the final round playoff. In the final tournament, Cameroon were drawn into Group B with Argentina, Romania and the Soviet Union. Cameroon defeated defending champions Argentina in the opening game 1–0 with a goal scored by François Omam-Biyik. Cameroon later defeated Romania 2–1 and lost to the Soviet Union 0–4, becoming the first side to top a World Cup Finals group with a negative goal difference. In the second round, Cameroon defeated Colombia 2–1 with the 38-year-old Roger Milla scoring two goals in the extra time.

In the quarter-finals, Cameroon faced England. After 25 minutes, England's David Platt scored for England, while in the second-half, Cameroon came back with a 61st-minute penalty from Emmanuel Kundé and took the lead with Eugène Ekéké on 65 minutes. England, however, equalized in the 83rd minute with a penalty from Gary Lineker, while Lineker again found the net via a 105th-minute penalty to make the eventual scoreline 3–2 for England. The team was coached by Russian manager and former player Valeri Nepomniachi.

The 1994 World Cup in the United States saw the adjustment of representation for three African teams qualify. Cameroon qualified with Nigeria and Morocco. In the final tournament, Cameroon were drawn into Group B with Sweden, Brazil and Russia. After a 2–2 draw against Sweden, Cameroon were determined to make an impact. However, a 3–0 loss to Brazil and a heavy 6–1 loss to Russia knocked them out. In their last game against Russia, the then 42-year-old Roger Milla became the oldest player to play and score in a World Cup finals match. The team was coached by French-born Henri Michel.

The 1998 World Cup in France saw the increase of 24 to 32 teams. Cameroon qualified alongside four other African countries. After qualifying as expected, Cameroon were drawn into Group B with Italy, Chile and Austria. Despite drawing with Chile and Austria, a 3–0 defeat to Italy saw Cameroon finish bottom of the group, and they were eliminated as a result. It was an unfortunate elimination, since Cameroon had led Austria 1–0 until the 90th minute, and had two goals dubiously ruled out in a 1–1 draw with Chile. Cameroon had three players sent off in the course of the tournament, more than any other team, despite only playing three games out of a possible seven. They also had the highest card count per game of any team, collecting an average of four bookings in each match they played.[3] It was also during this tournament that a certain Samuel Eto'o was exposed to Cameroonians. He was the youngest player of the tournament alongside Michael Owen of England. The team was coached by French-born Claude Le Roy.

Cameroon qualified for the 2002 World Cup in Korea-Japan, clinching first place in their group which included Angola, Zambia and Togo. Cameroon were drawn into Group E alongside Germany, the Republic of Ireland and Saudi Arabia. Cameroon started with a 1–1 draw with Ireland after giving up the lead and later defeated Saudi Arabia 1–0. In their last game, Cameroon were defeated 2–0 by Germany and were narrowly eliminated by the Irish, who had not lost a game.

In the 72nd minute of the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup semi-final between Cameroon and Colombia, midfielder Marc-Vivien Foé collapsed; he was pronounced dead several hours later. In the final against France, Cameroon wore shirts embroidered with Foé's name and dates of birth and death.

In the 2006 World Cup qualifying round, Cameroon were drawn into Group 3 with the Ivory Coast, Egypt, Libya, Sudan and Benin. Cameroon led the group for most of the time until their final game, when Pierre Womé failed to convert a late penalty. On 8 October 2005, Cameroon drew with Egypt 1–1 while the Ivory Coast defeated Sudan 3–1, results which prevented Cameroon from qualifying to the World Cup.

In Cameroon's 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, the team was grouped with Gabon, Togo and Morocco. After a slow start in their campaign with a loss to Togo, the coach of Cameroon, Otto Pfister, resigned. Frenchman Paul Le Guen was appointed as the new coach after a draw against Morocco. Le Guen's appointment caused an uprise in Cameroon's spirits as they earned a win against Gabon in Libreville, followed by another win against the Panthers four days later in Yaoundé. One month later, they defeated Togo in Yaoundé by three goals. On 14 November 2009, Cameroon defeated the Atlas Lions of Morocco 2–0 in Fez in their last match of their campaign. Gabon was also defeated by Togo 1–0 in Lomé. Both results caused Cameroon to qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals, held in South Africa.[4]

The Indomitable Lions were the first team to be mathematically eliminated in the 2010 World Cup, going out in their second group match to Denmark after losing 1–2, preceded by a 0–1 defeat to Japan.

Cameroon used sleeveless Puma shirts at the 2002 African Cup of Nations in Mali. FIFA, however, did not allow Cameroon to use the same kits as at the 2002 World Cup, and black sleeves were added to the shirts.[5] The 2004 African Cup of Nations witnessed Cameroon again run into controversy regarding their kits. Puma had designed a one-piece kit for the Cameroon team which FIFA declared illegal, stating that the kits must have separate shirts and shorts. FIFA then imposed fines on Cameroon and deducted six points from their qualifying campaign. Puma argued that a two-piece kit is not stated as a requirement in the FIFA laws of the game. Puma, however, lost the case in court, and Cameroon were forced to wear two-piece kits, but FIFA subsequently restored the six qualifying points to Cameroon.

Cameroon started the 2002 African Cup of Nations competition with a 1–0 win over DR Congo. That was followed by another 1–0 win against Ivory Coast, and a comfortable 3–0 win against Togo. These results led Cameroon to qualify from the group stage to the quarter-finals as their group's winner. In the Knockout stage, Cameroon met Egypt in a close match that they won 1–0 by M'Boma's goal in the 62nd minute of the game. In the Semi-finals, Cameroon met the hosts Mali and won the match 3–0 to qualify to the final.

On 13 February 2002, and after a close match, Cameroon won its fourth African Cup of Nations (repeating as champions), by beating Senegal 3–2 in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw to qualify for the 2003 Confederations Cup in France.[6]

Cameroon started the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations competition with a 1–1 draw to Burkina Faso. That was followed by a 2–1 win against Guinea-Bissau, and an unconvincing goalless draw against the hosts Gabon. These results were enough for Cameroon to qualify from the group stage to the quarter-finals, where they met Senegal in a close match that Cameroon won 5–4 in a penalty shootout after it had ended 0–0 after extra time. In the Semi-finals, Cameroon met Ghana and won the match 2–0 to qualify to the final.

On 5 February 2017, and after a close match, Cameroon won the African Cup of Nations for the fifth time after defeating seven-time champions Egypt 2–1 in the final,[7] by Vincent Aboubakar's late goal in the 89th minute of the match.[8] As champions, Cameroon qualified for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia.

The following players were called up for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Algeria on 25 and 29 March 2022.[13]

Caps and goals correct as of 29 March 2022, after the match against Algeria.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Simon Omossola	(1998-05-05) 5 May 1998	2	0	Vita Club
16	1GK	Devis Epassy	(1993-02-02) 2 February 1993	5	0	OFI
23	1GK	André Onana	(1996-04-02) 2 April 1996	29	0	Ajax
2	2DF	Duplexe Tchamba	(1998-07-10) 10 July 1998	2	0	SønderjyskE
4	2DF	Harold Moukoudi	(1997-11-27) 27 November 1997	11	0	Saint-Étienne
5	2DF	Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui	(1990-11-23) 23 November 1990	52	4	Gent
6	2DF	Ambroise Oyongo	(1991-06-22) 22 June 1991	51	2	Montpellier
11	2DF	Nouhou Tolo	(1997-06-23) 23 June 1997	14	0	Seattle Sounders
17	2DF	Olivier Mbaizo	(1997-08-15) 15 August 1997	11	0	Philadelphia Union
19	2DF	Collins Fai	(1992-11-23) 23 November 1992	48	0	Al-Tai
21	2DF	Jean-Charles Castelletto	(1995-01-26) 26 January 1995	10	0	Nantes
7	3MF	Jean Onana	(2000-01-08) 8 January 2000	9	0	Bordeaux
8	3MF	Gaël Ondoua	(1995-11-04) 4 November 1995	2	0	Hannover 96
14	3MF	Samuel Gouet	(1997-12-14) 14 December 1997	20	0	Mechelen
15	3MF	Pierre Kunde	(1995-07-26) 26 July 1995	29	1	Olympiacos
18	3MF	Martin Hongla	(1998-03-16) 16 March 1998	17	0	Hellas Verona
22	3MF	Arnaud Djoum	(1989-05-02) 2 May 1989	28	0	Apollon Limassol
	3MF	André-Frank Zambo Anguissa	(1995-11-16) 16 November 1995	41	5	Napoli
	3MF	Jeando Fuchs	(1997-10-11) 11 October 1997	2	0	Peterborough United
	3MF	Olivier Ntcham	(1996-02-09) 9 February 1996	0	0	Swensea City
3	4FW	Léandre Tawamba	(1989-12-20) 20 December 1989	6	0	Al-Taawoun
9	4FW	Kévin Soni	(1998-04-17) 17 April 1998	1	0	Asteras Tripolis
10	4FW	Vincent Aboubakar	(1992-01-22) 22 January 1992	86	33	Al-Nassr
12	4FW	Karl Toko Ekambi	(1992-09-14) 14 September 1992	49	11	Lyon
13	4FW	Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting	(1989-03-23) 23 March 1989	67	18	Bayern Munich
20	4FW	Ignatius Ganago	(1999-02-16) 16 February 1999	10	0	Lens
	4FW	Moumi Ngamaleu	(1994-07-09) 9 July 1994	39	4	Young Boys
	4FW	Patient Wassou	(2004-04-22) 22 April 2004	0	0	Coton Sport

The following players have been called up for the team in the last 12 months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Jean Efala	(1992-08-11) 11 August 1992	1	0	Akwa United	2021 Africa Cup of Nations
GK	Narcisse Nlend	(1991-09-10) 10 September 1991	0	0	Coton Sport	2021 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
DF	Enzo Ebosse	(1999-03-11) 11 March 1999	0	0	Angers	2021 Africa Cup of Nations
DF	Jérôme Onguéné	(1997-12-22) 22 December 1997	10	0	Red Bull Salzburg	2021 Africa Cup of Nations
DF	Joyskim Dawa	(1996-04-09) 9 April 1996	7	0	Botoșani	2021 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
DF	Jean-Claude Billong	(1993-12-28) 28 December 1993	3	0	Hatayspor	2021 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
DF	Sacha Boey	(2000-09-13) 13 September 2000	0	0	Galatasaray	2021 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
DF	Samuel Kotto	(2003-09-08) 8 September 2003	0	0	APEJES Academy	2021 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF	James Léa Siliki	(1996-06-12) 12 June 1996	11	0	Middlesbrough	2021 Africa Cup of Nations
MF	Yvan Neyou	(1997-01-03) 3 January 1997	5	0	Saint-Étienne	2021 Africa Cup of Nations
FW	Clinton N'Jie	(1993-08-15) 15 August 1993	42	10	Dynamo Moscow	2021 Africa Cup of Nations
FW	Stéphane Bahoken	(1992-05-28) 28 May 1992	22	4	Angers	2021 Africa Cup of Nations
FW	Christian Bassogog	(1995-10-18) 18 October 1995	42	7	Shanghai Shenhua	2021 Africa Cup of Nations
FW	Paul-Georges Ntep	(1992-07-29) 29 July 1992	4	1	Boavista	2021 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW	John Mary	(1993-03-09) 9 March 1993	1	0	Al-Shabab	2021 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW	Jeremy Ebobisse	(1997-02-14) 14 February 1997	0	0	San Jose Earthquakes	2021 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
INJ = Withdrew from the squad due to injury SUS = Serving suspension PRE = Preliminary squad / standby RET = Retired from international football WD = Withdrew from the squad

Africa Cup of Nations record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
1957	Part of  France
1959
1962	Not affiliated to CAF
1963
1965	Did not enter
1968	Did not qualify
1970	Group stage	5th	3	2	0	1	7	5
1972	Third place	3rd	5	3	1	1	10	5
1974	Did not qualify
1976
1978
1980
1982	Group stage	5th	3	0	3	0	1	1
1984	Champions	1st	5	3	1	1	9	3
1986	Runners-up	2nd	5	3	2	0	8	5
1988	Champions	1st	5	3	2	0	4	1
1990	Group stage	5th	3	1	0	2	2	3
1992	Fourth place	4th	5	2	2	1	4	3
1994	Did not qualify
1996	Group stage	9th	3	1	1	1	5	7
1998	Quarter-finals	8th	4	2	1	1	5	4
2000	Champions	1st	6	3	2	1	11	5
2002	Champions	1st	6	5	1	0	9	0
2004	Quarter-finals	6th	4	1	2	1	7	6
2006		5th	4	3	1	0	8	2
2008	Runners-up	2nd	6	4	0	2	14	8
2010	Quarter-finals	7th	4	1	1	2	6	8
2012	Did not qualify
2013
2015	Group stage	13th	3	0	2	1	2	3
2017	Champions	1st	6	3	3	0	7	3
2019	Round of 16	13th	4	1	2	1	4	3
2021	Third place	3rd	7	4	3	0	14	7
2023	To be determined
2025
Total	5 Titles	20/33	91	45	30	16	137	82

*Denotes draws including knockout matches decided on penalties.

**Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.

Olympic Games record
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
1900 to 1960	Did not enter
1964 to 1972	Did not qualify
1976	Did not enter
1980	Did not qualify
1984	Round 1	11th	3	1	0	2	3	5
1988	Did not qualify
1992–present	See Cameroon national under-23 football team
Total	Round 1	1/19	3	1	0	2	3	5

Football at the Summer Olympics has been an under-23 tournament since 1992.

Football at the African Games has been an under-23 tournament since 1991.

African Games record
Year	Result	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
1965	-	0	0	0	0	0	0
1973	-	0	0	0	0	0	0
1978	-	0	0	0	0	0	0
1987	-	0	0	0	0	0	0
1991–present	See Cameroon national under-23 football team
Total	4/4	0	0	0	0	0	0