\n
RABAT, Morocco (AP) \u2014 Eventually, Samuel Eto’o was happy, too.<\/p>\n
Disappointment quickly turned to pride for Cameroon after being eliminated by Morocco in the African Cup of Nations quarter-finals.<\/p>\n
Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) president Eto’o angrily reprimanded his players during Friday’s match in Rabat, but later spoke to his players in the locker room and praised them for restoring honor to the team after the pre-tournament turmoil.<\/p>\n
This was partly the fault of Eto’o, who sacked coach Mark Bliss less than three weeks before the African Cup, citing complaints about the Belgian’s “disrespectful and biased misconduct” towards Eto’o and the federation, as well as “various professional failings” including his failure to qualify for the World Cup.<\/p>\n
Mr. Blais was appointed as Cameroon’s coach by the Cameroonian Ministry of Sports in April 2024. announced a “big surprise”<\/span> upon his recruitment.<\/p>\nWhen Bris was hired by the ministry, he refused to accept his dismissal by the federation and reportedly named him in Cameroon’s squad for the Africa Cup, which included captain Vincent Abubakar and goalkeeper Andre Onana.<\/p>\n
FECAFOOT has appointed David Pagou as Bris’s successor, also naming the experienced Cameroonian league coach to his team. Except Abu Bakar and Onana<\/span> Some of the people on Bryce’s list were;<\/p>\nWhen Cameroon won against Gabon, it was clear that Pagou was in charge.<\/p>\n
Led by young players including 19-year-old forward Christian Cofan\u00e9 and 22-year-old midfielder Carlos Baleva, the Indomitable Lions impressed with dedication and intensity in a draw with defending champions Ivory Coast, followed by a 2-1 win over Mozambique and a follow-up 2-1 win. win against south africa<\/span> In the last 16.<\/p>\nIt was too much of a challenge for Morocco, who played in front of 65,000 supporters on Friday.<\/p>\n
Cameroon’s hopes were also dealt a blow with the early sending off of right-back Junior Chamadou. Chamadou suffered a serious knee injury when Nousser Mazraoui fell during a scramble for the ball, and he was sent off in tears.<\/p>\n
However, Pagou was also concerned about the team’s progress, given the short amount of time needed to prepare.<\/p>\n
“Remember, we started on December 16th. It’s now January 9th, less than a month has passed,” Pagou said. “We’re happy for them because they gave people a lot of excitement and that was the goal. … Unfortunately, Morocco cut us off in the middle. So we’ll keep calm and go back and continue to progress.”<\/p>\n
Mr. Pagou answered every question he faced at the press conference by thanking reporters for attending or addressing him by name.<\/p>\n
Looking to the future, the coach was optimistic about what could be achieved. Cameroon have won the Africa Cup five times and their priority will be to qualify for the next tournament in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, as well as the 2030 World Cup.<\/p>\n
“We have seen how we have built a team in a short period of time and I believe we can take positive lessons and build on what we have shown so far,” he said. “I think we’re on the right path.”<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
Associated Press at the Africa Cup: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/africa-cup-of-nations<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
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