Cameroon boss Rigobert Song made his aims of conquering TotalEnergies 2023 Africa Cup of Nations clear amid criticism levelled at Bafana Bafana by Samuel Eto'o.
Ahead of their AFCON opener against Guinea on Monday, former player and current president, Eto'o, said that he is "baffled" as to how South Africa "constantly underperform" at the continental showpiece.
He added that the country's footballing officials need to "sit down and plan how to take Bafana to another level."
The Indomitable Lions head coach, meanwhile, looks to be drawing inspiration from the last Cameroonian side that were triumphant at the tournament, which had also been held in Ivory Coast.
"There is a history between Cameroon and Cote d'Ivoire. We were heroes in 1984, and I think we should not forget the history," he said per CAF.
"We are a family. We won our first title in here and that's why we visited the grave of the first president of Cote d'Ivoire when we came here.
"Our goal is to go far in the competition, and why not repeat history and repeat the feat of 1984, we did not come just to participate."
Read: Cote d'Ivoire boss makes stern AFCON admission
Despite many considering Cameroon to be favourites heading into the opener against Guinea, Song praised the quality of their upcoming opponents.
"The first matches in such competitions are very important, we will be ready. All teams that will participate in the competition come with certain goals. Guinea is a good team, and we also know who we are going to face, and we will give everything we have," the manager said.
"They are a good opponent. When we talk about football there are positives and negatives, and as they qualified for the final tournament and they are here, they deserve it."
Guinea coach Kaba Diawara, meanwhile, stated that despite being drawn into what many view to be the group of death, their hopes remain high.
"We came with a lot of ambitions, even if we respect everyone, even if we are in the group of death. We prepared well, I am aware of the quality of our players. In sha'Allah [God willing], we are going to have a great competition," Diawara said per Cameroun Actuel.
Guinea will be looking to enhance their record at the competition. The National Elephants are taking part in their 14th AFCON, and hold the record for being the team to have the most appearances at the tournament without ever winning it.
The have, however, reached the knockout stage in six of their last seven participations.
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