Cameroon coach Volker Finke hopes the Indomitable Lions can leave the World Cup on a high against Brazil on Monday after a disastrous campaign marred by a bonus row and on-pitch infighting.
The Africans' interest in the competition ended last week when they were thrashed 4-0 by Croatia after a shambolic display in Manaus.
The match saw Alex Song sent off for a wild elbow chop on an opponent before left back Benoit Assou-Ekotto aimed a headbutt at team-mate Benjamin Moukandjo.
It is a far cry from the golden memories engendered by Cameroon's legendary 1990 predecessors, and 66-year-old Finke hopes to see a sharp improvement starting against Brazil.
"I think everyone has seen behaviour that is unacceptable. The players need to be an example for everyone, (but) I am not somebody who makes big speeches calling for drastic punishments," he said.
"Nobody wants to leave the country with a bad impression. We need to show a different face to save our reputation -- that of the team, of the players and of Cameroonian football."
Finke also said that he knew nothing of suggestions that the encounter -- which Brazil need to at least draw to be certain of progressing to the last 16 -- might be vulnerable to match-fixers.
"It must be a rumour and I've not even heard it spoken about yet. Knowing the team as I do, for me it is impossible. We don't need to worry about that, I'm sure."
FIFA's Head of Security Ralf Mutschke had claimed that the game was "more of a risk than the opening game or the final," at a press conference in Rio de Janeiro on Friday.
Cameroon captain Samuel Eto'o remains a serious doubt for the Group A clash as he continues to struggle with a knee injury.
The striker injured his right knee in the Indomitable Lions' 1-0 defeat to Mexico in Natal on June 13 and has not trained since.
Finke, 66, dismissed speculation that Eto'o might be about to call time on his international career.
"I don't think it's the moment. He has two, three or maybe four years left," said the coach of a player who has won 118 caps since making his international debut as a 15-year-old in 1997.
Source: AFP
