Tunisia2004: It's Cameroon for me - Abedi Pele

TUNIS (AFP) - Former African Player of the Year Abedi Pele backed Cameroon to cruise to a third successive African Nations Cup title.

The former Ghanaian international, who won 67 caps and was voted the continent's top player on two occasions, believes that Winfried Schafer's side have the all-round game to beat all before them.

"Cameroon have got a very strong team. They are very experienced and have played together for a while," Pele said Friday.

"They also have young strikers and are scoring goals. What is also important is that they have the character to bounce back when things are difficult."

However, Pele, whose modern-day Ghana team failed to make it to the finals here after losing to minnows Rwanda in the qualifiers, also believes that the African continent is not fulfilling its potential as a soccer power.

"Africa needs strong leaders. Look at Asia, they have overtaken us in recent years," he said.

"We have the raw talent here and there have been great individuals like Weah and Milla, but we really need to see a team bringing out the best in the continent.

"For that to happen, we need money in the development of the game."

Pele will now get the chance to have an influence after being voted on to the executive board of the African Football Confederation here this week ahead of the Nations Cup which kicks off on Saturday.

Former African Player of the Year Abedi Pele backed Cameroon to cruise to a third successive African Nations Cup title.