These are two footballing nations with several things in common; both have been continental champions, both have graced the world’s grandest stage and both can hark back to glorious generations.
Indomitable Lions fans fondly remember both the side of the 1990 World Cup as well as the double-Afcon winners of 2000 and 2002.
Bafana Bafana, by contrast, have their own heroes of yesteryear; the ‘Nation Builders’ of 1996.
Both would-be continental giants, however, have since fallen from the pinnacle of the continental game. Cameroon missed the last two Afcons and disgraced themselves at the 2014 World Cup, while South Africa were absent in 2012, only qualified a year later as hosts, and haven’t actually qualified for a Mondial since 2002.
There are signs, however, that these two heavyweights are on the brink of rediscovering past glories.
Both head into the 2015 Cup of Nations with ambitions of lifting the title and, after impressive displays in qualification, might have the substance to support and fuel their aspirations.
However, the pair also approach the competition with parallel concerns.
It’s hard to argue that Eric Mathoho is not South Africa’s most important defender.
Bafana’s backline is much changed from the unit that performed on home soil in 2013. Itumeleng Khune, Tsepo Masilela, Bongani Khumalo and Siyabonga Sangweni are no longer part of the squad,
Mathoho is the leader of the back five and excelled during qualification; South Africa were the last team to concede a goal during the preparatory phase and only ended up conceding three.
Mathoho, however, is suspended for the opener. His absence against Algeria will be of major concern for Shakes Mashaba, particularly considering that South Africa – drawn in the Group of Death – cannot afford to cede ground to their near rivals.
The tragic death of Senzo Meyiwa also robs the coach of another key defensive figure, making Mathoho’s presence even more important.
Volker Finke, Cameroon’s manager, has almost identical concerns.
Since Samuel Eto’o departed the international arena, Stephane Mbia has taken the Indomitable Lions’ captaincy. The former-Queens Park Rangers defender was a rock during qualification, helping Cameroon to concede only one goal – the joint best record of all of the continent’s nations.
Mbia forged an excellent partnership with Nicolas N’Koulou, and while young goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa deserves praise for his speedy adaptation to international football, it’s been due, in no small part, to the terrific central-defensive unit ahead of him.
Like Mathoho, Mbia’s place in the side is even more important considering the coach’s recent renovations of the side.
Following the World Cup disgrace, Finke opted to axe a number of the side’s more experienced players; Alex Song, the aforementioned Eto’o, Pierre Webo and Jean Makoun played no part in the qualifiers and have not been called up for the tournament itself.
Thus, 28-year-old Mbia plays a crucial role not just as a defensive rock (he played exclusively in the backline for Cameroon during qualification), but also as an on-field mouthpiece and leader.
But he, like Mathoho, will be absent for the opener. The Sevilla defender is suspended anyway, but he also faces a race to be fit for the tournament after being injured in La Liga recently.
In their pre-tournament friendly, both Finke and Mashaba revealed their go-to replacements for their absent defensive leaders.
Mashaba gave 18-year-old Rivaldo Coetzee a start – the centre-back’s fifth – and further acknowledged his faith in the teenager.
Coetzee has become the poster boy of the Mashaba era – he is young and raw, but he has the faith of the manager, having been one of his former charges in the youth set-up.
Indeed, such has been Coetzee’s recent rise that it might not be too far from the mark to suggest that the 25-year-old Thulani Hlatshwayo, and not the youngster, is Mathoho’s temporary replacement.
The Ajax Cape Town man started the first four qualifiers, but was then absent for Masahaba’s next three games and was only a substitute for the friendly against Zambia.
These two should start in Bafana’s opener against the Desert Foxes. It remains to be seen who will continue alongside Mathoho after that, but his titularisation against the Indomitable Lions was further evidence that Coetzee has the manager’s faith, and can be considered further proof of Mashaba’s ‘revolution’.
Finke, by contrast, turned back to a veteran for the friendly. Aurelien Chedjou was one of the key casualties of the World Cup shambles.
The Galatasaray man started Cameroon’s first two fixtures in Brazil – against Mexico and Croatia – before being dropped for the final contest against the hosts.
He was subsequently axed altogether from the side and wasn’t named in any of Finke’s three squads during qualification.
Considering the emergence of the likes of Jerome Guihoata and Ambroise Oyongo, as well as the continuing promise of injured Joel Matip, there were no guarantees that 29-year-old Chedjou would ever be required by his nation again.
However, Mbia’s injury has given him a reprieve. Finke, needing a physical presence in the heart of the backline, requiring experience and leadership qualities, called for Chedjou.
While Mashaba continued his faith in youth and named Coetzee, Finke relented and returned to one of the Central Africans’ disgraced World Cup party.
Two identical problems, two very different responses.
Finally, there was another noteworthy defensive performance in the weekend’s pre-tournament friendly.
While Chedjou is probably ambling towards the end of his international career, Frank Bagnack finally made his much-anticipated debut.
The Barcelona B youngster is a defender of some pedigree; he has long been in Finke’s plans, and has been in and around the squad for some months, without making his debut. He didn’t make the World Cup squad, but was listed this time around, even without featuring in qualification.
Bagnack finally made his debut in the friendly with Bafana. He operated at right-back on this occasion, although his future will surely be in the centre of defence.
Coetzee is South Africa’s bright hope, Bagnack is Cameroon’s equivalent. The two youngsters have a long way to go before they achieve the status of Lucas Radebe and Rigobert Song, but that is the ultimate goal of two international careers which are just beginning at the 2015 Cup of Nations.
Ed Dove
@Eddydove
Eddydove.com