Cameroon’s national football team coach, António Conceicao, has begun a hunt for new talents to include in his Indomitable Lions squad.
Conceicao, a Portuguese, said he is looking at the country’s league and abroad for players to boost Cameroon senior men team.
The 58-year-old, who took over from AC Milan great Clarence Seedorf, has been in charge of the Indomitable Lions for a year and says introducing new talents to the squad will make Cameroonians proud.
“I’m trying to improve the network in the countries where there are big Cameroonian expatriate communities through personal contacts and I can then observe players that I have identified,” he said.
“We’ve also been reaching out to young Cameroonian players playing abroad that can end up playing for other countries, in order to try to bring them on-board and want to play for Cameroon.”
Cameroon – who won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 1984, 1988, 2000, 2002 and 2017 – were defeated by the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the last 16 of the 2019 edition of the competition.
Since then, the Indomitable Lions have been limited to playing three matches. In October, the team will play a friendly against Japan in the Netherlands.
“We will have the chance to bring together a squad of players for the first time after a break of almost a year,” he said.
“We’ll bring the group together, and work on team spirit; exchange ideas with the players on what we want to bring to the national team.
“Also get to know and observe players who are new to the team; give players the opportunity to play for the national team, so that we can also draw conclusions and get new ideas for the future.”
In November the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers resume and although Cameroon have qualified as hosts they are taking part in the campaign and have back-to-back games against Mozambique.
Conceicao insisted that taking part in AFCON qualifying process despite qualifying as hosts is something he feels is important.
“I want to look at this situation as a way of improving the national team and bring in new players, so as to be able to have the best possible squad for the tournament itself,” he explained.
Conceicao is fully aware of what is expected of him and his team by the Cameroon fans.
It is a major responsibility, I know how important the national team is for all the people in Cameroon and the pride they have in their national team,” he added.
“There is the added responsibility of hosting the Nations Cup in Cameroon in 2022. So I am very conscious of the hard work and the difficulties that come with this task but I am very motivated.”