Schafer - still fears the Irish. (Allsport)

By Ian Parkes, PA Sport, Oita

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Cameroon coach Winfried Schafer still fears the threat posed by the Republic of Ireland despite the controversial loss of outspoken captain Roy Keane.

Schafer believes Keane's absence could even work against his side when Cameroon open their World Cup campaign against the Republic in Niigata on Saturday.

Keane disgraced himself and threw Ireland's preparations into disarray with his vicious verbal assault on manager Mick McCarthy last week, one for which he has no regrets.

While McCarthy and his remaining 22 players have attempted to draw a veil over the unsavoury incident, it remains to be seen whether such a sorry saga has had any lingering effect.

The Republic have always shown a tremendous sense of team spirit regardless of any untoward circumstances, and with the Irish eager to prove there is life after Keane, Schafer reckons the bond throughout the squad will now be stronger.

"There is no doubt that Roy Keane is one of the best players in the world today and I am sure any team would be affected by the loss of such a player," said the 51-year-old German.

"But this Irish team, even without Roy Keane, is still a very good one. I fear that without him the players will work even harder and show greater unity.

"It means we will have to tread very carefully against Ireland because we cannot afford any mistakes in the first match."

Schafer chose to prepare his African Cup of Nations champions in the remote hideaway of the Taio Sports Centre at Nakatsue Village, situated in the heart of the Kyushu region which lies at the southern end of Japan.

The Cameroon squad have been warmly received, with many good luck messages in French dotted among the villages which line the twisty, valley-strewn road leading to their training camp.

After the hassle of last week's arduous 60-hour trek to Japan, which stemmed from an initial delay in Paris due to arguments over World Cup bonus payments, the peace and tranquility of Nakatsue Village has come as a welcome respite.

Schafer insists his players are now fully prepared and focused on the Group E challenge which lies ahead, starting with the Republic and followed by matches with Saudi Arabia and Germany.

"Our problems are now behind us," added Schafer, who was appointed as coach of the Indomitable Lions just eight months ago after tasting success at Bundesliga sides VfB Stuttgart and Karlsruhe, spending 11 years at the latter between 1987 and 1998.

"The players here are all of great character. They're enormously enthusiastic about playing, but most important of all they're all eager to play for each other, and team spirit is vital for success."

Star striker Patrick Mboma is a key figure if Cameroon are to achieve such success, but he is doubtful to face McCarthy's side due to an injury to his foot which has needed to be taped up for training over the last two days.

Schafer, though, remains confident Mboma will play as he said: "Patrick is getting regular treatment everyday by our medical staff and independently he does training for his foot.

"His injury has stabilized and I'm very hopeful that he will be fit to playing our opening game on Saturday against Ireland."