Song - We'll learn lessons for the World Cup

Alex Song believes that Cameroon can heed lessons from their early exit at the Africa Cup of Nations - and make a big impression at this summer's World Cup.

The Arsenal midfielder enhanced his reputation with a string of fine performances in Angola last month and was rewarded with a place in the tournament's All-Star XI. But the trophy eluded Song as Cameroon were beaten 3-1 at the Quarter-Final stage by eventual winners, Egypt.

The 22-year-old takes pride in his personal achievement but would swap it for team success in an instant. Now he hopes Cameroon can pick themselves up in time for the 2010 World Cup where they will face Nicklas Bendtner's Denmark, Robin van Persie's Holland and Japan in the group stage.

"The people in our country aren’t happy – we have a good team and should have been going to Angola to play in the final," Song told the Official Matchday Programme.

"But it’s good to have played this tournament before the World Cup, because we saw how things went, could see what was working and what wasn’t, and we know what we need to do to be ready for South Africa. The level this summer will be much higher and we now need to look at what happened to make sure we’re ready for it.

"I did my best and am happy to have been named in that [All-Star XI] squad, but I’d prefer that Cameroon had won the tournament. It’s a pleasure, but overall it’s not very important – when I speak to my sons in 25 years’ time I want to be talking about when I won the Cup of Nations.

"Fortunately I’m just 22 and have many more tournaments to play, and perhaps in Gabon in 2012 we can go a step further. I’m confident for the future and if I continue to work hard, listen and learn then you never know what can happen."

Of course, there is no disgrace in losing to an Egypt side which went on to win an unprecedented third consecutive Africa Cup of Nations. Song believes that familiarity is the key to their sustained success.

"They have a lot of quality and, except for three or four who play in Europe, most of their squad play for the same team in Egypt – that’s a big help for them," he said.

"Normally, when you go away with the national team you have only a few days to work together and arrange things. I think Egypt is the strongest team in Africa, because they have been playing together for years and know each other so well.

"I want to congratulate them, because to win the tournament three times in a row is fantastic and not something that everyone can do."

This interview first appeared in the Official Matchday Programme. You can subscribe to the Matchday Programme by calling 08700 20 20 20.

[Monday, February 15, 2010]

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