Cameroon fury at 'catastrophic' organisation

TAMALE, Ghana - Cameroon coach Otto Pfister is fuming at African Nations Cup organisers after his side's luggage failed to arrive with the team for Wednesday's crunch game with Sudan.

"It's a total catastrophe," was how the veteran German-born manager labelled Confederation of African Football's organisation.

"We left Kumasi on Tuesday morning and they told us a helicopter would follow with our bags.

"We arrive here and we don't have any shirts or balls. Our hotel rooms weren't ready. We had to wait three hours in the foyer and our meal was served very late.

"I don't know who is responsible but it's a total catastrophe in terms of organisation."

Pfister added: "On Monday in Kumasi we wanted to eat at 1330, but the owner of the hotel had forgotten to hand over the keys to the kitchen.

"Every day there's something. Remember, we've got several world stars in the squad - it's really hard trying to keep up the team's morale."

Part of Cameroon's luggage eventually showed up at the end of the day allowing the Indomitable Lions to hold a light training session at the stadium in Tamale ahead of Wednesday's game, watched by the Sudanese players.

Cameroon captain Rigobert Song insisted his side had to ride above the occasional organisational glitch.

"Whatever the handicaps we encounter they shouldn't be allowed to destabilise the squad," said the 31-year-old.

"We've often had worse situations than this and we've always dealt with them.

"Nothing's new for us. We have an aim in our sights - qualification."

Lying second in their group Cameroon must beat Sudan to guarantee their place in the last eight.