Interview: Cameroon coach Soh - 'We are Lions, we must do everything to qualify'

Interview: Cameroon coach Simplice Soh - 'We are Lions, we must do everything to qualify'

Appointed head of the Indomitable Lions A' of Cameroon just five months ago, Simplice Soh is already facing a big challenge: qualifying Cameroon for the next TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship, scheduled from February 1 to 28, 2025, in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

For the final stage of qualifying for this competition, the Indomitable Lions will face the Fauves du Bas-Oubangui of the CAR in a double confrontation on December 22 and 28, 2024, in Abidjan in Ivory Coast and in Bafoussam in Cameroon.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Cafonline.com, Soh, who defines himself as a "Man of Challenges," believes he has the weapons to enable Cameroon to maintain its rank as leader of the Central African sub-region at the end of this double shock.

CAFonline: What is the state of mind within your group three days before facing the RCA?

Simplice Soh: The guys are focused; we are all focused. There is a lot of focus and a lot of determination as we prepare for these qualifiers for the African Nations Championship.

In what spirit do you intend to approach your opponent?

You know, in our sub-region, Cameroon is considered the leader in terms of football. We intend to maintain this position and continue to be the locomotive when it comes to football in the Central African sub-region.

We know that the RCA is aiming for its very first participation in this competition and will be determined. Have you prepared with this in mind?

We have prepared enough. We have had a series of friendlies. I think I have some information about the opponent. I think the last time they qualified for an AFCON, they eliminated the Lions. So, it is an opponent that we take very seriously. We have given our best to be prepared to face them, knowing that they are a difficult team. It will not be an easy task, but we are Lions, we must do everything to qualify.

Are you satisfied with your preparation?

So far, the preparation is progressing slowly. For this crucial phase, we started on December 1 at the CAF Center of Excellence in Mbankomo, and now we are training at the annex of the Omnisports Stadium in Yaoundé. So far, the federation and the Government have given their best. We are training in good conditions; the players are being taken care of. We played our last friendly match at 7 p.m., the scheduled kick-off time for the match in Côte d'Ivoire. So, those who are taking care of us are doing everything they can to ensure that we are in the best possible condition to play the match.

With the championship only recently starting in your country, has this penalised you?

As for the championship, it cannot be an excuse for me. When I was appointed, I knew that the championship was not at stake. I accepted the challenge knowing the context. I cannot complain. If I accepted the challenge, it is because I knew that I was up to the task. We are mainly thinking about the match, and we will give everything to secure this qualification.

What do you think will be the keys to this double confrontation against the CAR?

The key, I think, is to do what the Lions are used to doing and capitalize on what we have always had—the fighting spirit, the lion spirit. That is the first thing. Then, put in place strategies, a game plan that can put the Central African team in difficulty. We must give everything to qualify in Abidjan before returning to Cameroon. That is what we are trying to do to avoid bad surprises.

Is the choice of the city of Bafoussam to host the return match strategic?

The choice of Bafoussam—you remember that during the last stadium inspection visit to Cameroon by CAF, the only two approved stadiums were the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé and the Kouekong Stadium in Bafoussam. The Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium is under construction, and it will also be a pleasure for the people of the West region to receive the Lions. At the same time as it is strategic, I will also say that we had no choice. I am from the North West, which is close to the West. I think that many people will also be able to come from there and join the public of the West region to push us towards victory on December 28. So, we are happy to play in the West region, and we call on the people of this region to come out massively to push the Lions to qualification.

Cameroon did not shine at the last edition of the CHAN in Algeria. Are you already looking ahead to the upcoming competition in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda?

We are taking it step by step. At the moment, we are focused on the Central African Republic. When we have the qualification, I will be able to address this issue. Now, it is only the Central African Republic that interests us, and after, we will reveal our next objective.