Mboma predicts feast of goals as Cameroon fight for survival

CAMEROON’S Patrick Mboma is predicting a feast of football against Germany in their crunch Group E clash.

The African champions need to win to guarantee their place in the last 16, while the Germans need only a point.

However, the striker, on loan at Sunderland last season, was confident his side could advance past their opening phase for the first time since their quarter-final appearance at Italia 90: ‘‘It’s what happens in the 90 minutes that counts, but I think we will see great football from both sides and I just hope we are better than them. Our spirits are high and we hope people see the good Cameroon tomorrow. It will be difficult for the Germans as well as us and, although I hope to score, all I really want is for Cameroon to win.’’

Although Germany’s 8-0 thrashing of Saudi Arabia has put them in the box seat, both teams could progress if Ireland fail to beat Saudi Arabia.

Asked what he expects from Germany, Mboma said: ‘‘I don’t really expect them to try to get goals, because they only need a draw to qualify. I think it will be Cameroon who try to play and to score goals.’’

Mboma’s coach Winfried Schaefer is in no doubt that today’s clash is a must-win affair. Schaefer, who was born in Germany and has spent much of his life and career in Europe rather than Africa, is expecting his side to go out fighting against his fellow countrymen: ‘‘This is a final for us. There are no tactics tomorrow, we must simply score goals and win the match.’’

Having watched his troops put through their paces in the final training session before the match, Schaefer also reported a clean bill of health among his squad.

German coach Rudi Voeller ruled out the worst-case scenario, which would see Germany disappear from the World Cup in the first round for the first time since 1938.

"Of course we’re nervous," he said. "That’s the way it should be. But I’m convinced we will make it."

All the Germany squad, including striker Miroslav Klose, are fit, said Voeller. Klose, the tournament’s leading scorer with four goals, was able to train fully on Sunday, for the first time since he bruised his right knee in a 1-1 draw with Ireland. The German coach was expected to bring few changes, if any, to the formation he fielded in Germany’s opening 8-0 demolition of Saudi Arabia and in the draw with Ireland.

Midfielder Christian Ziege, who failed to convince against Ireland, could be left out with Marco Bode the favourite to step in.

Defender Christoph Metzelder has recovered from the ankle injury he picked up against Ireland and Voeller suggested he would play.