Stephane Mbia has heaped praise on coach Volker Finke for uniting the Cameroon camp ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations Group D opener with Mali on Tuesday.

Cameroon are one of the most successful teams in Afcon history having won the competition on four occasions, their last success coming in 2002 when they beat host nation Mali in the semi-finals on the way to the title.

However, Finke presided over a dreadful World Cup campaign last year, which saw the team arrive late in Brazil due to a row over bonus payments and fail to earn a single point as they finished bottom of their group.

The divide in the camp was made obvious in their second pool game versus Croatia, in which Alex Song was sent-off for elbowing Mario Mandzukic and Benoit Assou-Ekotto directed a headbutt at team-mate Benjamin Moukandjo.

Cameroon's campaign was also marred by match-fixing claims, but this squad has a much different look to the one that failed in Brazil.

Song and Samuel Eto'o have retired from international duty and Mbia - who has replaced the latter as captain but is suspended Tuesday's clash in Malabo - believes there is a better mentality in the group this time around.

"The Cameroon team are in a rebuilding stage, but we need to be well prepared for this 2015 Afcon finals which is very important for our country and for us players," Mbia said.

"We are also here to prepare for the 2019 Afcon that will take place at home.

"He [Finke] has been able to impose his decisions and discipline which will be our strength in the coming years.

"We are all pulling in the same direction and if you have team-mates who are all prepared to work for each other - I think that shows what the mood within the squad is like."

Mali will be outsiders in a group that also contains Cote d'Ivoire and saw their hopes dealt a blow earlier this month after striker Cheick Diabate was ruled out of the tournament due to a knee problem.

The West Africans are coming off two consecutive third-place finishes in the Afcon , but coach Henryk Kasperczak is refusing to look past the group stages.

"Cameroon are experiencing a transition phase with a new generation of players as Mali are," Kasperczak said.

"Even if the two teams appear as favourites, all the fixtures in this group will be crucial to qualify to the quarter-finals."

http://www.goal.com/en/match/mali-vs-cameroon/1972616?ICID=MP_CO_SC_8

Team West Afrikka

The 'Indomitable Lions' of Cameroon are staging a comeback to the AFCON after missing the last 2 editions.

I'd say Cameroon to nick this one narrowly:
1-0...

i expect Cameroun to shine with this match

Team Cameroon

Seydou Keita

I don't even know who to support in this game

Okay,i'll support Cameroon cos they r my neighbours

GAME ON!

.

go boys

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!

Up Mali!

Cameroon why na

Oh, wait, I think I'm watching something different.

Go boys...u can do it...

No interest in this nation cup at all.

link anybody?

Mtewww

Fool time draw

chimerase2:
Fool time draw

MUMU

freiburger stop observing

Mali Corner

mukina2:

MUMU

if u put amu na2 dat is MUMUna2 e dn become ua name

chaaaa!!! woo Sako . .good ball in . .keepr saw it coming

Come all dis praises mbia de heap for him coach big head make e score oh

[quote author=sampson14 post=29974067]cameroon will win 2-1

you mean the other way round

chimerase2:
if u put amu na2 dat is MUMUna2 e dn become ua name

hediot .. becareful . .spambot is active

Mali may score soon

choi see chances

No super eagles No Afcon
#TEAMKHESHIMUSTGO

morpheus24:
link anybody?

not enjoyable, link slowing and hanging

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHS_HS7LpDE

mukina2:

hediot .. becareful . .spambot is active

Mali may score soon

choi see chances

iffahear spambox ko auntyspambox ni
See amu invicinble
Just like chelsea invincible before dos mumu newcastle spoil show

abeg which country dey play

Badosqi:
not enjoyable, link slowing and hanging

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHS_HS7LpDE

The stream slow o, but I go manage am

okonelfg:
abeg which country dey play

cc mumuna2