Pfister backs Cameroon defence

Coach Otto Pfister yesterday put up a stout defence for Cameroon’s backline, insisting they have not let down the rest of the team despite letting in five goals in two games at the MTN Africa Cup of Nations.

“We don’t have any real problems in defence as much as we all agree that there is no perfect team in the world,” he countered. “The defence is more the responsibility of the midfield because this is a team sport, we attack together and we defend together.”Pfister, who took over the Indomitable Lions barely weeks before the MTN Africa Cup of Nations kicked off, also said he has now spent some time with the team and so can pick his starting eleven against Sudan in Tamale days ahead of the Wednesday kick-off.”At first it was difficult to know my first team but I have now spent more time with the team and so can confidently say I know my starting team for our next game against Sudan,” said the much-travelled Pfister.”Overall, Cameroon have a good mix of players, experienced players and some young, upcoming players.There is an excellent atmosphere in the team and we showed we are very strong mentally when we bounced back from the defeat against Egypt to beat Zambia.”Cameroon will need a result against Sudan tomorrow to guarantee their place in the last eight and the former Ghana coach warned that the Nile Crocodiles will not just surrender against them.”The Sudan match is tricky because in the last few years there has been a great improvement in the football in that country.We all know what Al Hilal and Al Merreikh did in continental competitions last year,” he said.”In football, each game is different.And I expect a very difficult game because even though Sudan started the tournament poorly, we have to take them seriously.”In the meantime, team officials have given Bochum midfielder Joel Epalle a clean bill of health even though he has in the past two weeks battled against a toe injury.Team doctor Guilaume Atchou said even though Epalle was nursing a toe complaint, it was not serious enough to stop him from starting the match against Egypt.Nampa-AFP”The defence is more the responsibility of the midfield because this is a team sport, we attack together and we defend together.”Pfister, who took over the Indomitable Lions barely weeks before the MTN Africa Cup of Nations kicked off, also said he has now spent some time with the team and so can pick his starting eleven against Sudan in Tamale days ahead of the Wednesday kick-off.”At first it was difficult to know my first team but I have now spent more time with the team and so can confidently say I know my starting team for our next game against Sudan,” said the much-travelled Pfister.”Overall, Cameroon have a good mix of players, experienced players and some young, upcoming players.There is an excellent atmosphere in the team and we showed we are very strong mentally when we bounced back from the defeat against Egypt to beat Zambia.”Cameroon will need a result against Sudan tomorrow to guarantee their place in the last eight and the former Ghana coach warned that the Nile Crocodiles will not just surrender against them.”The Sudan match is tricky because in the last few years there has been a great improvement in the football in that country.We all know what Al Hilal and Al Merreikh did in continental competitions last year,” he said.”In football, each game is different.And I expect a very difficult game because even though Sudan started the tournament poorly, we have to take them seriously.”In the meantime, team officials have given Bochum midfielder Joel Epalle a clean bill of health even though he has in the past two weeks battled against a toe injury.Team doctor Guilaume Atchou said even though Epalle was nursing a toe complaint, it was not serious enough to stop him from starting the match against Egypt.Nampa-AFP