On the invitation of head coach Artur Jorge, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon had a five-day training camp at Centre Leonard de Vinci, Lisses. The training camp, which ended with a friendly match on Wednesday against FC Villemomble, a club in the French honorary division, was an occasion for the Lions to polish up their skills ahead of the crucial encounter against the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire on September 4 in Abidjan.
Cameroon which is presently Côte d’Ivoire in Group Three of the ongoing joint qualifiers for the 2006 African Cup of National and World Cup, is obliged to win the Day 9 match if it must continue to nurture hopes of making it to Germany next year for the world football jamboree. After eight matches played in this series, Cameroon has 17 points as against 19 for Côte d’Ivoire. But what do the Lions really do during their training camp?
Setting the Scene
The official delegation for the Lions’ training camp, headed by the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Philippe Mbarga Mboa, left Cameroon on Friday, August 12, 2005. The delegation comprising members of the administrative unit of the national team, the medical staff (a doctor specialised in sports medicine and two kinetherapists) and the coaches resident in Cameroon had to arrive in Lisses early enough to set the stage for the players. At midday when the delegation arrived at Centre Leonard de Vinci, the management of the resort, located some 40 kilometres from the centre of Paris, was set to receive their guests. Some 27 rooms had already been reserved for the delegation; 13 for the staff, one for massage, another for equipment and twelve others for players. The rest of the day of Saturday was then spent setting the scene.
Arrivals of the Superstars
Following the programme issued by the General Manager of the Cameroon Football Federation, Patrick Precheur, the Lions had to arrive in Centre Leonard de Vinci at midday on Sunday August 14, 2005. At 11:30 therefore, all the staff present gathered in the lobby of the hotel with all eyes turned towards the door. Midday. No Lion was in the horizon. 12:30 p.m. Still no Lion in sight. Coach Arthur Jorge becomes a bit nervous. Looks at his watch from time to time. Then holds a brief tête-à-tête with the assistant coach in charge of the Physical fitness of the Lions, Raul Aguas, the Director of sports, Robert Ndjana, the Director of the administrative unit of the National football team, Essama Benoit Alphonse and the chief medical doctor, Pr Atchou and his Kinetherapists. Before disappearing from the scene, he gives instructions for the lunch of the Lions to be set. 1:00p.m the anxiety in the delegation is almost turning to fear. Signs of panic are visible on many faces because no Lion has respected the official arriving time. At 1:00pm, the team was expected to be sharing their fist meal. « Where are they? What is happening? » was the question on every lip. The suspense ended at 1:05p.m with the arrival of Mbami Modeste and Achille Emana aboard a car that caught the admiration of all present.
Lions’ First Meal
The menu of the day had carefully been selected by the medical staff. There was variety on the table: chicken, fruit salad, rice, fruits, etc. According to Pr Atchou, one of the task of the medical team is to ensure that the players eat a balanced diet. The menu is decided on a daily basis depending on the task ahead and the state of the players. The standard of three meals a day is respected to the latter. Generally, the players eat meals that are easy to digest. « We consume a lot of pastes such as rice because it contains low sugars », Dr Atchou said. Unfortunately, this first meal was tasted just by a handful of players.
My Jersey
In effect, only 11 players were present at 5:45pm when the Lions was expected to have their first training session. Some came accompanied by their relatives, others with their friends. Artur Jorge was visibly vexed by this delay and decided to cancel the training session. This however did not stop Belinga Robert, the store’s accountant of the department of sports at the Ministry of Sports and physical Education from distributing training equipment to those present. The package of each player comprised: two shorts, two jerseys, two socks, two casual wear, all in the national green, red, yellow colours. « Where are the boots? », one player asked. The other players present burst out laughing. « Is there already someone waiting outside to collect them? », they laughed. Robert Belinga however explained that each player is free to put on the sports shoe he wants. « Some have contracts with other manufacturers and are free to put on the shoes. That is why we do not give them shoe systematically each time we meet », he explained. Belinga also explained that the equipment are usually calculated to avoid any left over. The technical and medical staff, for example, receive equipment just once a year.
Your Autograph, Please
Most of the players spent the rest of the afternoon in the hotel lobby. Their presence in the hotel lobby was a great attraction to many people; especially members of the two other foreign delegations in the hotel. Players of the Silly Nationals of Guinea and USMA of Algeria clamoured around the Lions like bees around honey. They took pictures with the team and asked for autographs. « Look at how other players are excited when they see the Lions! This is an indication that we are a great team », a member of the technical bench of he national team said. This hustle and bustle around the lions continued during much of their training sessions.
Play, Eat and Sleep
Although the training of the Lions was not open to the public, a few persons succeeded to have access to the training grounds. This however did not disturb Captain Song and his mates from giving their best during the two training sessions each day. Understandably, all the players had to give their all. Only 19 of the 25 who took part in the present camp will finally travel to Abidjan for the match against Côte d’Ivoire. Generally the trainings began with physical exercises under the supervision of assistant coach, Raul Aguas. Head coach, Artur Jorge then came in to work on the different tactical options. The goalkeepers on the other hand were drilled by Songo’o Jacques. The morning training sessions were followed by lunch while the evening training sessions preceded supper. Sleeping was also an essential part of the camping. Bed time was strictly respected. All players were obliged to have siesta each day. The players also had to squeeze time for their massage sessions.
Discipline, the Greatest Rule
Discipline, can be considered the one great rule of the Lions. All the players are expected to respect the time for all activities including bed time. At 10:30 pm therefore, it is impossible to see any player of the national team. According to coach Artur Jorge, discipline is at the root of all success. It is therefore understandable why the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Philippe Mbarga Mboa laid emphasis on discipline during his visit to the Lions on Monday night. From all indication, the appeal did not fall on deaf ears. The numerous distractions notwithstanding, the lions were a model of good conduct through out their stay in Lisses.
TCHE Irene MORIKANG
