The African continental campaign and subsequent FIFA Confederations Cup appearance is in the past for Christian Bassogog and Co. now Cameroon are facing make-or-break scenarios in their qualifying campaign for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
With two draws from the opening two fixtures, they trail leaders Nigeria by four points.
With only the group winners advancing to Russia 2018, the Indomitable Lions must win double-headers against the Super Eagles early next month if they are to reignite their hopes.
Cameroon in Group B
Algeria 1-1 Cameroon (9 October)
Cameroon 1-1 Zambia (12 November)
Nigeria v Cameroon (1 September)
Cameroon v Nigeria (4 September)
Cameroon v Algeria (7 October)
Zambia v Cameroon (6 November)
With so much at stake, much will be expected of the in-form Bassogog.
His lightning pace is, of course, something which Cameroon can count on to unlock Nigeria’s solid defence.
Bassogog, though, downplays his individual impact, preferring to emphasise the team’s unified spirit.
“Nigeria are a strong team,” he said.
“They have very good players and many of them are playing in Europe. But we must defeat them if we are to maintain our qualifying hopes.
“We should take the game to them. We need to fight to defeat them.”
“Our players are young, but we are strong as a team,” he said of Cameroon’s progress under Belgian coach Hugo Broos.
“He is a good coach. He knows what the players are good at so he can get the best out of us. In this team, everyone has his chance.”
Having said that, Bassogog is all too aware what responsibility he shoulders.
“These are matches I want to win,” he said. “We are not in an ideal position but these are qualifying games for the World Cup. I will do my utmost to help our team.
“When I was young, I liked watching Eto’o. I watched carefully how he went forward and how he scored. He could always score some unexpected goals in amazing fashions. For a long time, I had thought of becoming a player like him.”
GOALKEEPERS: Ondoa Fabrice (FC Séville, Spain), Goda Jules (AC Ajaccio, France), Bokwe Georges (Mjondalen, Norway)
DEFENDERS: Ngadeu Michael (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic), Teikeu Adolphe (FC Sochaux, France ), Mabouka Ernest (Maccabi, Israel), Castelleto Jean Charles (Brest, France), Leuko Serge (CD Lugo, Spain), Fai Collins (Standard de Liège, Belgium), Banana Yaya (Panionios, Greece), Nouhou Tolo (Seattle Sounders, USA)
MIDFIELDERS: Djoum Giles (FC Hearts, Scotland), Mandjeck Georges (Sparta Prague, Czech Republic), Siani Sebastien (KV Oostende, Belgium) Franck Zambo Anguissa (Marseille, France)
FORWARDS: Choupo Moting (Stoke City, England ), Aboubakar Vincent (FC Porto, Portugal), Moukandjo Benjamin (Jiansung, China), Bassogog Christian (Henan Jianye, China), Toko Ekambi Karl (Angers, France) Nsame Jean Pierre (Young Boys, Switzerland), Moumi Ngamaleu (Rheinorf, Austria), Fabrice Olinga ( Mouscron, Belgium).
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