Source: The Sangai Express
Johannesburg, June 20 2010:
Cameroon's Indomitable Lions were coming to terms with being the first team out of Africa's inaugural World Cup Sunday while Brazil and Paraguay plotted to extend Latin America's great start.
Led by three-time African footballer of the year Samuel Eto'o and with a rich history including a 1990 quarter-final appearance, Cameroon had been one of the continent's best hopes to break Europe and South America's grip on the World Cup.
But the west Africans' 2-1 defeat to Denmark Saturday night made them the first team eliminated though they have a meaningless last Group E game left against Netherlands who, by contrast, were the first team to secure second round passage.
Cameroon's French coach Paul Le Guen said he would not resign despite an unsettling row with senior players over his team selection.
"I don't have any regrets," he said.
"It is sad but the team has shown a great deal of spirit" .
African teams have only won one game so far this tournament.
Apart from the Dutch who had a second win Saturday, 1-0 against Japan, the soccer powers of Europe have had a torrid time.
There have been shock losses for Spain, France and Germany and uninspiring draws for England, Portugal and Italy.
Compounding the disarray, France sent home striker Nicolas Anelka for insulting his coach, and English forward Wayne Rooney had to apologize for criticizing booing fans.
Argentina have for many people looked the best team so far, confounding a widely-held opinion in foot-ball circles that the maverick Maradona would be the main impediment to progress.
Should Argentina lift the trophy on July 11, it would be an incredible redemption for the charismatic Maradona, whose reputation as one of the world's greatest players was soured for years with his drug problems and other off-field antics.