Cameroon Forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting admits teamwork will be needed if the Indomitable Lions are to qualify for the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The 33-year-old scored in Cameroon’s final pre-tournament game and has 10 goals in his last nine appearances for club team Bayern Munich.
The Indomitable Lions are in Group G alongside five-time champions Brazil, Serbia, and Switzerland in who they play in their opening match against on Thursday, November 24, 2022.
“Expectations are high. Of course, that’s normal,” Choupo-Moting told BBC Sport Africa.
“To have success, we have to do it all together. And I believe in us because we have good quality, so we have to put it all together on the pitch.
“Me personally, I will give my best as I do always. I know it can help the team a lot.
“I know I have a lot of qualities and with my team-mates around, everyone can perform well.”
Choupo-Moting is not guaranteed a spot in Cameroon’s starting lineup despite his excellent form.
Choupo-Moting was substituted in at halftime in the Central Africans’ friendly against Panama last week, which ended in a 1-1 draw. He spent the majority of the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year on the bench as Indomitable Lions captain Vincent Aboubakar was preferred and won the Golden Boot with eight goals.
Even though Cameroon is competing in their eighth World Cup, they have only advanced to the knockout rounds once, in 1990, when they became the first African team to reach the quarterfinals.
Choupo-Moting maintains confidence in the caliber of the team led by coach Rigobert Song despite their dismal record and difficult World Cup schedule.
