Confederations cup: The ball is set rolling as the lions gear up for first game

The opening ceremony of the tournament has unfolded in pomp and pageantry. Host nation Russia made a spectacular opener by lambasting New Zealand 2 goals to zero in the St Petersburg stadium. The pace has now been set for the African champions, the indomitable lions of Cameroon who are expected to enter the saga tomorrow against The south American champions, la Roja of Chile.

The game will take place at 7pm Cameroon time at the Otkrytiye arena in Moscow. Though Chile is participating in the confederations cup for the first time, Cameroon has been there thrice and even lose the 2003 final to France. Despite Cameroon's experience, most sports pundits have tipped Chile as favourites of the game.

Meantime, Hugo Broos' squad is lowly rated and regarded as the underdogs of the competition. But many diehard supporters of the lions believe Cameroon might still create surprises in Russia just like in the Gabon African cup of nations where they were never considered amongst the favourites but ended up lifting the trophy.

La Roja is also one man down as its main keeper, Claudio Bravo is out due to injury same like Cameroon who has miss the services of its polyvalent left winger and team animator, Oyongo Bitolo who was injured in an AFCON qualifying game in Yaoundé recently.

Cameroon plays in group B alongside World Champions Germany, Australia and Chile.