Cameroon coach still fears Irish threat

Cameroon coach Winfried Schafer still fears the threat posed by the Republic of Ireland despite the controversial loss of outspoken captain Roy Keane.

Schafer believes Keane’s absence could even work against his side when Cameroon open their World Cup campaign against the Republic in Niigata on Saturday.

Keane disgraced himself and threw Ireland’s preparations into disarray with his vicious verbal assault on manager Mick McCarthy last week, one for which he has no regrets.

While McCarthy and his remaining 22 players have attempted to draw a veil over the unsavoury incident, it remains to be seen whether such a sorry saga has had any lingering effect.

The Republic have always shown a tremendous sense of team spirit regardless of any untoward circumstances, and with the Irish eager to prove there is life after Keane, Schafer reckons the bond throughout the squad will now be stronger.

‘‘There is no doubt that Roy Keane is one of the best players in the world today and I am sure any team would be affected by the loss of such a good player,’’ said Schafer.