Understanding Cameroon's AFCON 2023 Fiasco

The roar of the Indomitable Lions was tragically replaced by a moan at the 2023 AFCON. Their round of 16 exit, punctuated by just a win in four matches played; with a total five goals scored and eight conceded, calls for a proper autopsy and real action.
Questionable Tactics
Coach Rigobert Song’s tactics evidently stifled any hope of victory. The Lions were trapped in a jumble of a predictable play style, “sterile possession," and lack of midfield creativity. Attacks stammered and died, while the defense resembled a leaky filter. The just one win in four games as well as the aching defeat against Nigeria in the round of 16 was simply the result of a team that was evidently lacking in almost all compartments of play. In fact, crossing to the round of 16, came as a miracle after Cameroonians had held their breathes, hoping for divine intervention in a 3-2 last minute win against The Gambia. Unfortunately, the miracle could not last past the eighth finals as the technical and tactical limitations of team Cameroon were uncovered in the game against Nigeria.
Inconsistency Hampering Cohesion 
Song's constant tampering with the lineup left players puzzled, scrambling to understand ever-shifting systems. Bringing in major changes in each line-up, playing players out of their comfort zones greatly hampered cohesion. Today Ondoa and tomorrow, Onana; did not speak well of a crucial compartment like goalkeeping.  Were they truly "lost in the jungle,", or were deeper problems at play? Flashes of fighting spirit or to say the least, that much desired “hemlé” flickered briefly against Gambia, but overall, a worrying malaise hung heavy. The fiery spirit that onc...