Cameroon vs. Mexico: Key Selection Decisions for Volker Finke

Unlike Algeria and, to a lesser extent, Nigeria, Volker Finke’s personnel selections over the last few months have been fairly consistent.

Naturally, there was an element of experimentation in friendlies, but eight players started both legs of the play-off double-header against Tunisia and are all in Cameroon's squad in Brazil. Of the other seven who featured in one or both matches, all apart from the largely redundant Gaetan Bong and Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik have been selected for the World Cup.

The Indomitable Lions were hopelessly impotent in the first leg, before springing into life in the second.

Ever since the 0-0 draw in Rades, the team have been much effective, winning three and drawing one of their subsequent six matches. They have scored in every game, and while their defence isn’t as strong as it has been in the past, their attack is more lethal than it was at almost any point in the previous two years.

Finke knows his players and the players know the system, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have options, and it will be interesting to see what tweaks he will make for the Indomitable Lions’ opening group game against Mexico.

Cameroon will employ a 4-3-3-cum-4-5-1 formation in Brazil, and while the exact nuances of the midfield and forward line may change during the tournament, the back four will retain a consistent structure and brief.

Nicolas N’Koulou is a shoo-in for one of the centre-back roles. The Marseille man is being courted by a number of major European clubs and has extensive experience despite his relatively slender years.

He has started all but two of Cameroon’s internationals over the last years and is an unmoveable figure in the defence.

A couple of months ago, Aurelien Chedjou would have been almost as imperative. The Galatasaray stopper started seven games consecutively for the national side, but he has been struggling with injury over the last month and only returned for Cameroon's final friendly against Moldova.

He played the full 90 minutes, suggesting he is back to peak condition, but Finke may still decide to bench him.

This is because of the fine form of Joel Matip, who partnered N’Koulou for the three previous friendlies. Matip’s rise at Schalke has been well-documented, and his composure at centre-back was evident.

Does Finke reinstall Chedjou to the starting line-up to resume his long-standing partnership with N’Koulou, or does he stick with the promising Matip alongside the OM defender?

Should Matip not start in defence, he could be one of a number of candidates for a spot in the midfield triangle.

Here, Cameroon are blessed with options, but perhaps not as much diversity as, say, Algeria for example.

Having started nine of the last ten internationals together, Alex Song and Enoh Eyong are certainties for two of the three midfield spots, but who joins them?

Stephane Mbia, perhaps the favourite for the role, is coming off the back of an excellent (Europa League-winning) season with Sevilla and offers more creativity than given credit for. Jean II Makoun would perhaps be the natural choice, offering more finesse than his compatriots, but hasn’t played any part in the pre-tournament friendlies after struggling with fitness.

A final option would be Landry N’Guemo, who offers more physicality and fine tackling ability.

The identity of this “Third Man” in midfield could well have a great bearing on how Song approaches his duties.

African central midfielders are an endlessly fascinating subject. Seriously!

The narratives of John Obi Mikel, Yaya Toure and Michael Essien, for example, take in themes of unrealised potential and redemption, take you on a tour of contemporary tactics, from Makelele to Fellaini to Vidal, and typify how hard it can be to transfer your club form and role to the international arena (or vice versa).

The example of Alex Song may not be as glorious (or inglorious depending on your take) but he is, nonetheless, a relevant example.

The Barcelona man has been shunted up and down the spine of sides all his career, operating anywhere from centre-back to the pinnacle of a midfield triangle or diamond.

Unless Makoun starts—which appears unlikely at this point—Song will be charged with both providing the link between midfield and attack, and injecting the midfield with guile and creativity.

It’s no mean brief, but as he demonstrated towards the end of his stay at Arsenal, he is capable of performing in this role. How exactly Finke uses him remains to be seen.

Will he begin deep with licence to move forward, for example, or will he play at the pinnacle of the triangle? The identity of the third midfielder will dictate how static Song will be in Brazil—it’s an interesting situation to keep your eye on.

It is likely that Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Benjamin Moukandjo will begin in the wide positions against Mexico. The two have grown into valuable weapons for Finke and performed well when called upon in recent months.

This hasn’t always been the case. The former has started four of the last eight, featuring in a further three, but was only named in one squad (and didn’t get any playing time) in the previous seven internationals.

Moukandjo has generally been more present, but the fact he has started the last three games suggests he finally has the complete faith of the manager.

These two are not the only options in wide positions. Edgar Salli and Fabrice Olinga are firmly back-ups, but provide exciting options from the bench.

The consolidation of Choupo-Moting and Moukandjo creates an interesting situation for Finke, it means that his most high-profile player and arguably his most lethal player are competing for one spot in the forward line.

It would be a major surprise if captain Samuel Eto’o didn’t start. Eto'o remains an elite striker, but if he starts it would mean that Vincent Aboubakar, coming of the back of an encouraging season at Lorient, misses out.

Is using Aboubakar as a substitute the best use of such an explosive forward, or should Finke replace one of his wingers and incorporate the former Valenciennes man in a slightly wider role?

All of this goes without considering the veteran Pierre Webo, who is now back in contention after an injury scare. Webo’s international record of 18 goals in 56 appearances may not be the best, but he remains a wily and energetic character. He started two of Cameroon’s four friendly matches, as well as both legs of the play-off, and it wouldn’t be a major surprise to see him reappear against Mexico.