Cameroon have been eliminated from the World Cup in the group stages despite defeating Saudi Arabia and drawing with the Republic of Ireland.
Where did Cameroon go wrong?
This debate is now closed. A selection of your e-mails appear below.
The African champions were disappointing and never seemed to hit top gear. Various theories will be woven around yet another failure. Can't we accept that maybe they just weren't good enough?
Desmond Asiedu, Ghana
The Indomitable Lions played classic football, though they were outplayed. The defence was perfect, with few flaws, but the attack was rather insatiable because players didn't take the shots that were necessary.
If the Lions were better prepared for the tournament, they would have made it in grand style as anticipated by the fans.
Louis Onekon, Cameroon/USA
When a coach limits himself to 12 players out of a possible 22, throughout a match and a tournament the results can be disastrous. I believe the coach lacked confidence in a bench which proved to be more aggressive and effective than the match starters.
I don't blame any of the players, they have good days and bad days. It is the coach's responsibility to adjust the team strategy and game with respect to the conditions of every match. Schafer couldn't do that! He should watch how Metsu operates.
Heine Nzumafo, U.S.A/Cameroon
We have the talent and the skill but the players looked very tired and did not play their style of football. They need to be treated right. You cannot come to a big event like this and not have enough time to rest the players before the games. We need better management.
I was surprised by the limitations of the Cameroonian coach. His tactics were completely wrong. He did not realise that some players were obviously tired and needed replacing. He did not make any adjustments between games. He must go now!
Dikoko Quan, Cameroon/USA
Cameroon are the laziest team I have ever seen. A team full of talent and ability and despite them playing relatively easy opposition, they go out early. The players should sit down and watch Senegal, Korea, Japan, Turkey and USA. To me they were a bigger upset than France leaving early!
M Mansour, Egypt
There must be a reason for a seemingly premature exit of the World Cup at the hands of the Germans, other than just commitment to win. It looks to me that fatigue and harsh weather contributed a lot to the defeat. Try again Cameroon, we still support you!
There should be no excuses. The Lions are out because they met a better side in their last match. They faced a German team that knew that they could defend, but if properly checked, could not score. The problem therefore is not the defence (Song, Kala, Foe) but the forwards. You can't win if you can't score.
Amabibi Fayeofori, Douala/Cameroon
With the eyes of the world watching the Lions, they failed to impress. A squad boasting much talent and experience failed to convert ability into results.I was expecting Etoo to explode onto the world stage, but his team members could not provide for him. Perhaps the balance of power in Africa has shifted to the more commited Senagalese.
Bobby Seagull, England
It is unfortunate that a team with so much talent failed to make it past the first round. It is time to nurse our wounds, learn what lessons need to be learnt and plan for the future. One lesson we must learn is that every team that makes it to the World Cup finals is good, and we must give them the same attention we give to champions.
Denis Nkweteyim, Cameroon/USA
Cameroon should stop all the excuses about jetlag, bonuses, and problems with the FA and face the facts. Cameroon do not attack enough. They spend too much time defending, and hope other team will make a mistakes so they can score. That style of play is out dated.
Players like Song, Kalla and Foe are too old to be playing football at this level. The trio could barely play for 45 minutes.
Nya Casanova, USA
Cameroon can only beat African teams and the weakest from Asia. They find it difficult to overcome European opposition because of their poor technique and lack of strength. Before the World Cup, they played friendlies with Poland, Ausria, Denmark and England and did not win a single match.
Francis Gobina Elive,UK - Cameroonian
Cameroon has something to learn from the The Lions of Senegal - they are not a one man team but an eleven man squad.
Joe Abey, USA
Cameroon's greatest undoings were overconfidence and pride. It is high time they realized that confidence without determination achieves nothing. Also, in a competition like this, it is better to come as an underdog rather than announcing that no one can match you.
Favour Hazzan, USA/Nigeria
The Lions lost. They have made us happy many times so let's stand by them now - surely they need it. That is the least we can give to them
Frederick Forchap, Cameroon
It was the poorest display of lack of will and disorganization that the Lions have ever shown. Now is the time is to come back to earth and save what can be saved.
Cameroon needed the beating by Germany because that will inspire them in subsequent competitions. They weren't playing to win - we should be thankful that some of this guys will be too old to play in 2006!
Robert Tambe Takor, Cameroon/USA
I think Cameroon should start rebuilding their team now. Players like Song, Kalla and Foe should make way for the new up-and-comers like Kome, Mbami, and Job.
Joe Joe Ngassa,USA
We can only win as underdogs. Coming into the World Cup as African champions for the second consecutive time, and as Olympic champions, meant we were the favourites in group A - that didn't work well for us!
Joseph Awandak Ndode, Cameroonian in USA
Cameroon were very unlucky to get knocked out at the first stage but that is what happens if chances are not taken. They outplayed Ireland in the first half and should have finished the game off, but didn't. It was the same story against Germany. They have nobody to blame but themselves. They had the most talented players in the group - it's a pity they didn't have the best team.
Cameroon had a very disappointing finish and it cost them the game. After the first half dominance without scores, they seemed to have lost the will to win the match, and lost their chance to the Germans. But all is not lost. Let them begin to think of the 2006 World Cup and I think with Schafer still as coach, they will turn the tables. Till then, we still hope.
Amon Andima, Frankfurt, Germany
It pains me to say this but I am not really surprised that Cameroon failed to make it past the 1st round. The writing was always on the wall when they failed to win their opening match against the Republic of Ireland and struggled against Saudi, the whipping team in their group. I think the problem was that they believed the hype about being the best out of Africa but they have now found to their cost that it's performance that win games not reputations. Shame about that.
Victor Oladele, UK
I'm sure the biggest lesson the Lions must have learnt now is that talent alone can never win you the World Cup. Sure they have some of the most enterprising players in the world, but where is the will?
Brian Msebe, South Africa
Cameroon have disappointed us again. Since 1990, they cannot go to the second round. They is the need to reorganise the team so that, they have a play maker as they play only physical football. The coach has also shouted a lot before the match.
Ousman Joof, Holland
I watched Germany beat Cameroon. It wasn't a pretty game but Germany had the will to win by any means necessary. The country Cameroon is now in mourning and in bars, the blame game will account for some consolation. Senegal struggled and stayed alive. With that fire in Senegal's belly, it will take a hell of toughness for any team to send them home. Go Senegal!
Joe Abey, Cameroonian/USA
It was a well deserved loss for Cameroon. Cameroon was guilty of very poor finishing in the first half, and they lack the skill necessary to survive in the second round.Cameroon should return to the drawing boards with the emphasis on team rebuilding. In the future the emphasis ought to be on selecting skilful players who remain disciplined under pressure.
DTF, Cameroonian - USA