The four-time African champions qualified for the Ghana finals in sublime fashion, disposing of minnows Rwanda, Equatorial Guinea and Liberia along the way, but things will be very different in Ghana.

While Cameroon are expected to advance to the second round, whether or not they continue their quest for a record equaling fifth title remains the question.

With players like Wome, Lauren, and Olembe missing the tournament for various reasons, Cameroon will be lacking severely in the experience department.

Cameroon’s strength lies mainly in their backline which includes goalkeepers Hamidou and Kameni, and defenders like captain Rigobert Song and Hamburg’s Atouba.

But the team seems to get weaker as you move up front, having only Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o as a formidable threat and the team’s inspiration.

Even though some young lions like M'Bami and Makoun have emerged, they yet have to live up to the standards of their predecessors. V

Veteran coach Pfister, who was appointed in October, will have to work out a winning formula to make sure the Lions roar again, just as they did in the 1980s and early 2000s.

Coach: Otto Pfister (German)

Perhaps the most experienced of all the coaches to take part at the Ghana finals. The 70-year-old coach has an extended resume that dates back to 1972.

In Africa alone, he has coached four clubs and seven different national teams before taking over Cameroon in October 2007.

Pfister won several titles on the club level and led Togo in the 2006 World Cup finals.

His experience and familiarity with Egyptian and Sudanese teams will definitely be beneficial for Cameroon who take on both national sides in the group stage.

Star Player: Samuel Eto'o

The 26-year-old is one of the most prolific strikers of his time. His versatility, swift pace and shooting abilities have made him the scourge of defenders worldwide.

Eto'o made his international debut at the age of 15 in 1996. He was also the youngest player to take part in the 1998 World Cup finals.

The Cameroonian’s club career began in Real Madrid’s reserve team, but he failed to break through the Los Blanco’s ranks.

In 1999, Eto'o was loaned to Real Mallorca where he began his rise to stardom.

During his time with Mallorca Eto'o became the highest league scorer in the history of the club with an impressive tally of 54 goals. He also helped the team win the 2003 Copa Del Rey.

Meanwhile, Eto'o was making a name for himself with Cameroon. He was a member of Cameroon’s squad that won the African Cup of Nations in 2000 and 2002 and the 2000 Olympic Games gold medal in Sydney.

In 2004, Eto'o joined Catalan giants Barcelona where he hooked up with Brazilian Ronaldinho to form one of the most dangerous duos in the game.

Together they helped Barca win two Spanish Liga titles and a UEFA Champions League trophy in 2006.

On the individual level, Eto'o has won the African Footballer of the Year Award three consecutive years (2003, 2004, and 2005).

The Cameroonian ace is his country’s biggest asset at the African finals this winter as he will be bidding for a third continental title and a shot at becoming the competition’s all-time top scorer.

Eto'o currently has 11 CAN goals to his name, only three shy of former Ivorian international Laurent Pokou.