Rigo and his AFCON: The unforgettable crowning of the Indomitable Lions in 2002
In episode 6 of Rigo and his AFCON, former captain of the Indomitable Lions, Rigobert Song, looks back on the fabulous journey of the Cameroonian team during the 2002 edition of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Mali, a tournament where the Lions managed to clinch the title against Senegal on penalties after a goalless draw.
A team ready for anything
At that time, Cameroon was at the peak of its game, with a clear goal in mind: to defend the title won in 2000. Song recalls the pressure weighing on the players' shoulders: "We had pressure because we had to defend our title. And then, we had to do the same thing again to try to remain the leaders of Africa."
However, this pressure wasn’t seen as a burden, but rather as a source of motivation to push the limits and further assert Cameroon’s supremacy on the continent.
For Song and his teammates, this period was marked by an absolute confidence in their abilities. He adds:
"We were in a phase where we feared nothing."
And this confidence was perfectly reflected in the performances of the Indomitable Lions: three wins from as many matches in the group stage, a 1-0 win against Egypt in the quarterfinals, and an impressive 3-0 victory against Mali, the host nation, in the semifinals.
Unstoppable momentum
The 2002 edition was not just a football competition, but a true series of exploits, a machine running at full speed. Rigobert Song compares this mindset to a turbo engine going full throttle:
"You know, when you engage the turbo, when the turbo is launched, it’s launched, you can no longer stop it." It was this unstoppable energy that drove the team, match after match, towards victory. The Cameroonian players were fuelled by the desire to stay at the top and replicate the successes of previous years, particularly the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, where Cameroon made history with a gold medal.
A legacy for future generations
Rigobert Song highlights the importance of this journey for future generations. For young Cameroonians, the image of the 2002 AFCON edition remains firmly embedded in their minds as a symbol of excellence:
"It’s 2000 - 2002, the Olympic Games. So, this chain and the final in the Confederation Cup." These significant moments were incredible milestones for a youth that grew up with these achievements. The Cameroon of 2002 not only made its mark on African football history but also left a legacy of leadership and cohesion.