Tolo’s fitness key as Pagou and Indomitable Lions look desperate to end Bafana’s hoodoo

The US-based left-back has been nursing a hamstring strain picked up during Cameroon’s final Group game against Mozambique, a 2-1 victory that secured their passage into the knockout stages. 

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Nouhou (28) has spent the last few days under close medical supervision, but Pagou believes the skipper will be ready when it matters most...

"The physical of my player is good, it is on top. He went to hospital after the match and the Doctor did a great job with him. We hope he will be able to play. We have a training session, we will see how it goes at training. But the feedback from the Doctor is good, so we will see," said Pagou.

Cameroon’s AFCON campaign was preceded by significant off-field turbulence, with confusion surrounding leadership roles that at one stage resulted in two coaches and two squads, involving Pagou and his predecessor, Marc Brys. However, the former PWD Bemunda and current Coton Sport head coach insists that those issues are firmly in the past and that they are unified in this mission...

"Generally, the state of mind is very good. They want to write their names in the history books. We continue on our road," added Pagou.

Pagou also took time to praise the structures within Cameroon’s domestic Ligue One, crediting them for producing players who can transition successfully to top overseas leagues. One of those products is Belgium-based defender Samuel Kotto, who has become a regular feature in the national setup. Kotto (22) is part of the Lions defence that has conceded just two goals and kept a clean sheet in three matches.

Russian-based centre-back Christopher Wooh, a diaspora recruit born in France to Cameroonian parents, also expects a stern test. The 24-year-old, who was introduced to the squad by former coach and captain Rigobert Song in 2023, has been impressed by South Africa’s recent progress...

"They have quality, but we saw the video analysis and know how to approach them. Our group stage results gave us confidence. It is good to play these types of games with confidence," he expressed.