Cameroon are putting their rocky World Cup preparations behind them and are trying to hide their glee at the misfortunes that have dogged their first opponents.
The African champions, who face Ireland in their Group E opener in Niigata on Saturday, are working to overcome earlier chaos when bickering over bonuses and flight problems delayed their arrival in Japan by five days.
While their build-up has been less than satisfactory, it pales in comparison to Ireland's woes.
Mick McCarthy's side are desperately trying to regroup and remotivate after the very public slanging match between the manager and axed captain Roy Keane.
Nevertheless Cameroon, under German coach Winfried Schaefer, realise they cannot rest on their laurels.
"Some people think this (Keane saga) is a very big advantage for the Cameroon team, but we don't agree," Cameroon's team manager Andre Nguidgol told Reuters by telephone from the tiny village of Nakatsue where the squad are training.
"Ireland will come up with a strategy and will no doubt play even harder now that Keane is not with them," he added.
Keane, considered Ireland's only world-class player, was sent home after hurling abuse at his manager at a team meeting last week.
The subsequent media speculation about the possibility of a last-minute Keane return has overshadowed all other preparations and unsettled the rest of the squad.
But Nguidgol said Cameroon could not afford to take Ireland for granted.
"A team is a team. It's 11 players, not one player," he said.
"We have to be careful and prepare ourselves. Even without Keane, it's still the World Cup and Ireland are still one of the best sides."
Cameroon have received the warmest welcome from the people of Nakatsue, with some of the 1,370 inhabitants even learning French, but the squad is still trying to recover the days lost in preparation.
"We cannot say that everything is going the way we would have hoped. We arrived very late and we are trying to do our best," Nguidgol said. "Fortunately we have no injuries at the moment."
Nguidgol added that Sunday's impressive 2-2 draw against England had given the team confidence.
Earlier, Cameroon defender Geremi, who scored against England, said the Indomitable Lions could be the surprise team of the tournament.
"With a little luck, Cameroon can pull off a surprise...In any case, one thing is sure, the potential is there," Geremi said on his website.
Cameroon also meet Saudi Arabia on June 6 and Germany on June 11.
