FIFA World Cup 2022: Cameroon as the first benchmark for Switzerland

It should be a particularly emotional match for the AS Monaco striker. “My mother and father are from there, my family, most of them are from there. So it’s a special game for me and my family,” said the 25-year-old, who was born in Cameroon’s capital Yaoundé. At the age of five, Embolo moved to France with his mother before later relocating to Switzerland, where he received citizenship in 2014.

A year later, the talented attacker made his debut for the Swiss national team and has played in almost 60 games since then. Now comes the most important thing. When asked if – as once said – he really was Cameroon’s biggest fan, Embolo told reporters in the team camp: “Yes, of course – but after Switzerland and after this game.”

Switzerland with a big chest

Coach Murat Yakin relies on the veterans Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri, who, together with keeper Yann Sommer and Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji, are the pillars of the Swiss team. However, Sommer was injured in the run-up to the World Cup. Salzburg’s Noah Okafor will probably be on the bench against Cameroon, his club colleague Philipp Köhn for sure.

In any case, the Swiss should not be underestimated, they won their World Cup qualifying group ahead of Italy. They already beat Portugal and Spain in the Nations League this year.

Cameroon’s Hope

In the case of the opponent, the “Untamable Lions”, on the other hand, international successes were few and far between. The Cameroonians – who are taking part in a World Cup for the eighth time, which is an African record – have only won one of their last 15 World Cup games. Coach Rigobert Song wants to change that. Big names are scarce in his squad, with Bayern Munich’s Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting being the exception. The striker shot himself to the fore with many goals in the autumn.

But the 33-year-old also knows: “We don’t have any big stars in the team who stand out like Roger Milla or Samuel Eto’o used to.” Choupo-Moting, Frank Anguissa from SSC Napoli and also Inter-Milan goalie Andre Onana are the hopefuls in the team, where Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu and Samuel Oum Gouet also have two ex-SCR Altach players in the squad.