Cameroonianss, based in a quiet corner of Deira’s Naif souq, ready to cheer on national team

'Football is life in Cameroon,' says Modesto Lando. 'We have many issues and disagreements, but when it comes to football it brings all the people together.'

DUBAI // Amidst the hustle and bustle of Deira’s Naif souq, traders regularly gather at a little restaurant in an alley off 17th street to take break from the day’s sales.

The venue is a favourite with Cameroonians who sit and chat about anything and everything, except work. It’s no surprise that football is always a popular subject.

“Football is life in Cameroon,” said Modesto Lando. “We have many issues and disagreements, but when it comes to football it brings all the people together.”

“Even the politicians use football to get elected. Our current president used the national team and local teams to get elected. The government spends a lot of money on the football team because they know that if the football team is doing well, all the other problems will be forgotten,” said Mr Lando.

Cameroon, which lost its opening match to Mexico, 1-0, did not do much to instil fans with confidence.

“I’m not too sure about this team. They have too many conflicts, they are not really playing as a team,” said Mr Lando.

“I was surprised that they qualified,” added Blaise Kadjo. “They were not doing so well in the beginning. They only just made it when they beat Tunisia 4-1.”

Mr Kadjo said he hopes his team has found a way to overcome their issues. “It’s all ego. None of them were playing with heart, they were not prepared and there was no team spirit. I’m not sure if they can win more than two matches.”

“I’ll be surprised if they do,” Mr Lando said. “Yes, we have doubts about the team. But once they come on the field everything changes. The Cameroonian confidence begins to override both with the player and the fans.”

For Claude Kouam, following the national team has been about more than just supporting your country, it meant supporting a friend too. Now a renowned boxing coach, Claude was a goalkeeper in his youth and teammate of former national team star Geremi Njitap

“When I was 11 years old I was teammates with Geremi Njitap. We became good friends, we still try to keep in touch and do events at home.”

Geremi played for Spanish giants Real Madrid from 1999 to 2003, won two Champions League medals and was nominated for the Ballon d’Or in 2000. He played for Chelsea from 2003 to 2010 and won the Premier League twice. He also represented his country from 1996 to 2010 in 118 games including the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

“I remember when Cameroon won the Olympic gold medal in the 2000 Sydney games,” said Mr Kouam. “When they came home everyone came out to the streets to greet them. The police blocked off the roads for the team to pass. I remember being so excited that I jumped the barricade and stood in the middle of the road, arms outstretched, blocking the team bus,” he said with a giggle.

“The police wanted to arrest me, but then Geremi got out of the bus and came and gave me a hug.”

Mr Kouam always dreamed of being a professional football player. “Because of my size and height, the coaches recommended I go for boxing instead of football.”

“I really want them to have a good performance at the World Cup. Mostly because I will be back home for the second round, and really there is nothing like the feeling of celebrating a win at home. The streets are empty when the team is playing. You have 25 million people all with one hope and one heart,” said Mr Kouam. “If we win there will be dancing in the streets. I don’t even want to think about a loss.”

Cameroon’s biggest test will come when they face the hosts Brazil, said Mr Kadjo. “We have a history of upsetting the samba kings. If we beat Brazil it will be a successful World Cup for us, even if that is the only match we win.”

But even if their home team don’t excel, the Cameroonian fans will lend their support to other African nations. “But in the end we are African, we will support all the African teams,” said Mr Lando.