Cameroon Boss Seedorf Faces Moment Of Truth In Nigeria Showdown
5th July 2019
The former Dutch star, now 43, succeeded underperforming Belgian Hugo Broos last year and has won three, drawn four and lost once in competition since taking charge of the five-time African champions
- His brilliance as a player was undisputed but Clarence Seedorf's transition into management has come with a steep learning curve
- Unable to replicate his on-pitch achievements in the dugout, Saturday's Africa Cup of Nations showdown with Nigeria represents a defining moment for the Cameroon boss
- With a haul of four Champions League wins, five national titles and a host of individuals awards, the former AC Milan and Real Madrid midfielder's career was one to envy
CAIRO, Egypt-
His brilliance as a player was undisputed but Clarence Seedorf's transition
into management has come with a steep learning curve. Unable to replicate his
on-pitch achievements in the dugout, Saturday's Africa Cup of Nations showdown
with Nigeria represents a defining moment for the Cameroon boss.
With a haul of four Champions
League wins, five national titles and a host of individuals awards, the former
AC Milan and Real Madrid midfielder's career was one to envy. But two
successive failures with Milan and Chinese club Shenzhen, and a relegation with
Deportivo La Coruna have clouded his reputation as a coach.
The former Dutch
star, now 43, succeeded underperforming Belgian Hugo Broos last year and has
won three, drawn four and lost once in competition since taking charge of the
five-time African champions.
Part of his legacy
is at stake in Egypt as coach of the title-holders, and Seedorf will be judged
by what happens here with anything less than a quarter-finals place almost
certainly set to trigger his post-tournament dismissal.
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Since his
appointment alongside former Ajax and Netherlands team-mate Patrick Kluivert,
Seedorf has found it difficult to rouse the Indomitable Lions.
His record in
qualifying was tarnished by an embarrassing 1-1 draw with the Comoros and a
goalless stalemate against Malawi, while repeat failures to score against Ghana
and Benin at these finals have again raised questions over his suitability as
coach.
- Full of stories -
"As a
midfielder it's a joy to be coached by him," Hearts midfielder Arnaud
Djoum told AFP. "He's very attached to details. He also has a lot of
stories. When he wants to give an example he always tells one. We listen to him
closely because we know about his career. He's trying to bring his
experience."
But inconsistent
displays and his minimalist style are fuelling plenty of debate in Cameroon.
"He's taking a while to enter the hearts of Cameroonians who would like to
see more sparkle to their game," said local journalist Leger Tientcheu.
"We have the
impression that Cameroon doesn't have a particular way of playing and that they
play according to the opponents. The Seedorf touch remains to be seen."
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During the group
stage in Ismailia, Seedorf's chopping and changing merely added to the
uncertainty as he heavily rotated his line-up while his trial and error
approach in attack failed to yield results.
While Karl Toko
Ekambi started all three games, he was partnered by a different team-mate each
time with Christian Bassogog, Clinton Njie and Stephane Bahoken all given a
chance. Of the four only Bahoken found the target, in a 2-0 win over
Guinea-Bissau, which failed to quell the persisting doubts over the Cameroon
frontline.
- Off-colour attack -
The numerous changes
"don't bother us. We always respect the coach's choices. We have
confidence in all the players. The most important thing is to stick
together," said Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who has also found himself on
the bench at times despite serving as team captain.
"We must
improve in several areas, notably in attack. We must be more intelligent to
create more chances. We've shown our potential. We haven't yet conceded a goal,
there are positive things going forward," said Seedorf.
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"Sometimes
teams don't score for weeks, forwards for months. We're remaining
confident," he said after the Benin game.
Seedorf can draw on
the 3-0 victory over the Comoros that clinched qualification as a reference
point for performing under pressure, but Saturday's encounter will be a much
tougher obstacle for a coach still trying to find his way.
"Before that
match everyone was worried we weren't scoring, and we scored three goals.
That's football," mused Seedorf. Against Nigeria he will have another
opportunity to silence the critics.