History
Cameroon first appeared in the World Cup in 1982 and five times since, playing in 17 FIFA World Cup matches - the most of any national team from Africa. Their 1-0 defeat of holders Argentina to kick off the 1990 FIFA World Cup is one of the great upsets in the history of the event. Their most recent World Cup was 2002, and they finished third in Group E.

Qualification
Samuel Eto’o, was Cameroon’s star man in qualifying, scoring nine goals as they eased through. Five straight wins helped Cameroon through their first stage of qualifying, but they had a shaky start to the final group stage, losing to Togo in their opening game. A goalless draw at home to Morocco in their second match was enough to see off manager Otto Pfister, and in came new boss Paul Le Guen. The highly-rated coach had the desired effect, managing his side to back-to-back wins over group leaders Gabon, before victories over Togo and Morocco wrapped up top spot in their group. Without Eto’o’s goals the Lions may have been struggling to make the World Cup, and his performances will be key to their chances.

Prospects
Cameroon are the highest-ranked African country at the finals, and have a squad packed full of players from top European clubs. Of the six African teams, they appear to be one of the best-placed to make it to the last eight. Manager Paul Le Guen settled on a steady formation to recover a qualification campaign that was beginning to stutter. Keeper Carlos Kameni is reliable at the back, while Rigobert Song - now 33 - leads a defensive line-up that can call on Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Sebastien Bassong of Spurs. In midfield Jean Makoun partners Arsenal’s Alexandre Song - nephew of Rigobert - in a defensive partnership, while Geremi brings quality on the ball either in the centre of the park or out on the right. Samuel Eto’o is the team’s star man, and his form for Inter Milan in his first season since moving from Barcelona suggests he could be a major star in South Africa. Certainly if the Lions are to make it far in the tournament then Eto’o will need to continue his phenomenal scoring record from qualifying. In addition to the star names, there is plenty of quality elsewhere in the Cameroon squad. Monaco’s 19-year-old Nicolas Nkoulou started the last five games in qualifying and is a hot prospect in France’s Ligue 1 and Burnley’s Andre Bikey is having a fine season. The 2010 Africa Cup of Nations was a disappointment for one of the pre-tournament favourites, but they will undoubtedly up their game in South Africa. Cameroon will be disappointed if they fail to make it out of the group, although anything better than a last 16 appearance will be an achievement.