Cameroon turn to old guard as Afcon clock winds down

Cameroon on Monday named a 23-man squad for this month’s international friendly against Kuwait in Kuwait City.

Interim head coach Alexandre Belinga made the squad public on Monday during a press conference at the headquarters of the Cameroon Football Federation in Yaounde.

Three goalkeepers, seven defenders, seven midfielders and six forwards were called up for the game scheduled for March 25 in Kuwait.

The game marks the start of Cameroon’s on field preparations for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations which they will host in June next year.

Alexandre Belinga named his squad for the Kuwait friendly

The Return of the Prodigal sons

As expected, Alexandre Belinga has handed calls to Idriss carlos kameni, Choupo Moting, Kana Biyick, Andre Onana and Allan Nyom who had shut the door behind them due to off field issues.

Their return was widely expected last week following a « reconciliation meeting » held last week in the French capital Paris with the President of the Normalisation Committee Dieudonné Happi.

« The national team belongs to Cameroonians and we will work hard to see that those who are eligible (to play for the team) are called up, » interim coach Alexandre Beling said as he justified their return.

The players met with the Normalisation Committee in Paris

Some of these players had either turned their backs on the team or been ignored by the various coaches who have have recently led the national team.

It is the case with goalkeeper Idris Carlos Kameni who returns to the fold after almost two years in the cold following a misunderstanding first with Volker Finke and later with Hugo Broos. His last appearance was coincidentally handed by Alexandre Belinga back in November 2015 for a World Cup qualifiier against Niger.

The 34-year old will battle for a spot between the sticks alongside Andre Onana who is equally returning after a self-imposed exile from the team. The Ajax Amsterdam shot stopper (27games played this season) turned his back on the Indomitable Lions after being frustrated with his back up role to Fabrice Ondoua.

Kameni has been out of the national team fold since 2015

Onana’s case was one too many for former coach Hugo Broos to handle. The Belgian was unable to properly deal with Eric Maxim Choupo Moting’s tantrums as he most often resorted to a public hairdryer treatment of the player. . The decision to strip the Stoke City forward of the vice captaincy as well as drop him altogether from the team did not sit down well with the player. Choupo’s place in the team was even questioned after feigning an injury just moments coming on to the pitch in their heavy World Cup qualifier drubbing against Nigeria in Oyo. Images of the striker banging a brace for Stoke City compounded his miseries as question marks were raised on his commitments for the national cause further straining his relationship with the technical bench.

Like Choupo, Kana Biyik has never really settled into the national fold since switching allegiance from his country of birth(France) to play for his parents’ country(Cameroun). Back up to Nicolas Nkoulou and Aurelien Chedjou, his frustration was compounded by his omission from the 2014 World Cup squad. Kana Biyik could not hold back as he lashed at the management of the team as well as officials of the football federation before shutting the door behind him.

Kana Biyik has made 23 appearances this season

The exit cue will later be followed by fellow defender Allan Nyom who turned his back on the team before the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations following several run ins with management and authorities. The West Bromwich Albion defender maintained his stance even after post Afcon advances from the federation.

The new comers

The return of these « forgotten men » has overshadowed maiden calls handed to Stephane Bahoken (Strasbourg-France), Leandre Tawamba(Partizan Belgrade-Serbia) and Ngah Fabrice (Difaâ El Jadida –Morocco).

Ngah Fabrice's has been rewarded with a call to the national team

Ngah Fabrice would be hoping for a taste of international football after bidding his time with Moroccan side Difaâ El Jadida. The 20-year old left-footed defender has chipped in with 12 matches at the back this season for the Moroccan side and would be bidding his time in the learning curve when he joins up with his new team mates in two weeks.

Tawamba has scored nine league goals this season

On his part, Leandre Tawamba rounded off a brilliant weekend with a goal in Partizan Belgrade’s two nil victory over against Čukarica taking his tally to nine league goals for the season. His red hot form in front of goal both in the league and Europa League this season has earned him a maiden call to the national setup. In addition to the regular strikers, Tawamba would have to compete with another new comer Stephane Bahoken in order to lead the line for Cameroon against Kuwait on March 25.

Full squad

Goalkeepers :ONDOA Fabrice, (Sevilla-Spain), ONANA Andre,(Ajax-Holland ), KAMENI Carlos, (Fenerbahçe-Turkey)

Defenders

FAI Colins, (Standard de Liège- Belgium), EBOA EBOA Félix, (FC Guingamp-France) NGAH Fabrice, (Jadidi DifaHassani-Morocco), NGADEU Ngadjui, (Slavia Prague Czech) TEIKEU adolphe, (FC Sochaux-France), YAYA Banana, (Panionios-Greece), KANA BIYICK Jean Armel, (Kayserispor-Turkey)

Midfielders

ZAMBO Anguissa, (Olympique Marseille France) SIANI sebastien, (FC Anwerp-Belgium) NYOM Allan, (West Bromwich Albion FC England), MANDJECK Georges, (FC Metz-France), BASSOGOG Christian, (Henan-China), NJIE Clinton, (Olympique Marseille-France) MOUKANDJO Benjamin,( FC Jiangsu Suning-Chine)

Strikers

OLINGA Fabrice, (FC Moucron-Belgium), ABOUBAKAR Vincent, FC Porto (Portugal), BAHOKEN 

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT: ALEX IWOBI RULED OUT OF CAMEROON CLASH

Nigerian winger Alex Iwobi has been ruled out of his nation’s double header against Cameroon after sustaining a thigh injury.

The Arsenal striker is out with a thigh injury

The pacy winger who has played just 11 minutes of club football this season has been replaced in the team by CSKA Moscow winger Aaron Samuel.

“Gutted I'll Be Missing Our Games Due To Injury. I'm Behind The Boys . Thanks To Our Fans For Your Support! Let's Do Nigeria Proud,” Iwobi, who is a nephew to Nigerian football legend, Jay Jay Okocha tweeted.

The Arsenal forward is now expected to return to his club where he will continue his rehabilitation.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT: SIXTEEN PLAYERS PRESENT AT SUPER EAGLES CAMP

Nigeria’s Super Eagles are in camp ahead of this weekend 2018 FIFA QUALIFIER double-header against Cameroon.

So far, sixteen players are already in camp while seven others are awaited including Chelsea start man Victor Moses as well as Leon Balogun of German side FSV Mainz.

“We are positive the remaining players will turn up this afternoon before time for training. We also experienced flight delay getting into Uyo on Monday and that’s why we got in very late. The coach is optimistic of having a full house today in time for the first training,” Super Eagles coordinator Patrick Pascal told Complete Sports Nigeria.

Super Eagles Look up to full house by wednesday

The players still to turn up in camp are: Abdullahi Shehu (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Anthony Nwakaeme (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel) and Aaron Samuel (CSKA Moscow, Russia) who’s a late replacement for the injured Alex Iwobi have been delayed either by flight difficulties from Europe or securing connecting flights to Uyo from Lagos or Abuja.

While those already in camp include:

goalkeepers Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah); Dele Alampasu (Cesarense FC, Portugal). Defenders include William Ekong (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Tyronne Ebuehi (ADO Den Haag, The Netherlands); Elderson Echiejile (Sivasspor FC, Turkey); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Ola Aina (Hull City, England) and midfielders such as captain Mikel John Obi (Tianjin Teda, China); Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (CD Feirense, Portugal); Mikel Agu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey).

Nigeria captain Mikel arrived on Monday

The forwards are Ahmed Musa (Leicester City, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Odion Ighalo (Chang Chun-Yatai, China).

2018 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIER: Cameron enter full gear ahead Nigeria game.

22 out of the 23 players called up by Hugo Broos are in camp to prepare for the double header against Nigeria. 12 players joined in on Tuesday morning to the 10 who showed up on Monday. The last player to join the camp would be Nohou Tolo who arrives later on Tuesday evening after playing last night.

The players were involved in physical exercises

The ten players who were in camp yesterday trained on short passes and ball control in tight spaces. The late arrivals on their part worked with the physical trainer to improve their fitness levels after their various long travels.

The 'keepers were also in training

Meanwhile the goalkeepers had a specific session with the assistant trainer.

Lions almost have a complete house

Hugo Broos can only start putting his game plan on Wednesday when all the players must have been in full speed as he eyes a general training session later today.

Stay tuned for updates from Nigeria camp.

Why Anglophone Footballers must speak out!!!

It started with Lawyers, then teachers joined the train before the wind was transformed into a tornado by the “common man”. The Anglophone spirit has grown even deeper in recent months that you get the feeling there is no turning back at this point. But for the movement to keep that pace, every facet of the Anglophone community must bring their own piece to the puzzle. And one important group I have to call out in this struggle are Footballers, Anglophone footballers.

Our players must now speak out!!!

Some might be surprised I am calling on Anglophone footballers (even themselves) to speak out on the Anglophone problem but they have a massive voice in this struggle. As celebrities, footballers are crowd pullers and most of their fans/followers look up to them as role models- this is no exception when it comes to Anglophone footballers as well as Anglophone teams. Enow Ngachu, Clinton Njie, Fai Collins, Enoh Eyong, Anatole Abang, Kongnyuy Jude, Robert Mba Jama, Atem Valentine etc… Yong Sport Academy, Victoria United, Bang Bullet, PWD Kumba etc...

Bang Bullet just joined the Elite: Can they join the struggle?

If you love football you love FC Barcelona, the heart of Catalonia, a region in Spain that has been struggling to gain independence from the Kingdom. This struggle has been enhanced in recent years by their footballers most prominently Gérard Piqué who has shared the same dressing room with Samuel Eto’o. Always known to be at the heart of controversy, Piqué has never hidden his support for the Catalonian struggle and openly declared back in 2014 that he will vote for a Catalonia INDEPENDENCE away if a REFERENDUM was organized. He backed his words with actions when he took along his son to join one of the largest pro catalonia independence rally later that year amidst heavy criticisms from Spanish fans. 

Piqué took his son along to support a Pro-Catalan rally

"It is a different thing that I also feel Catalan, it was the day of the Catalans and to be in favour of the vote,” Piqué said after back then after the rally.

"That is something democratic and the people ought to have the right to vote (for independence)."

Piqué who has won the world cup and back to back Euros for Spain has since faced the ire of Spanish fans though he has always been booed by these same fans for his pro-Catalan views. In protest, he announced last month that he will be retiring from the Spanish national team after the 2018 World Cup but will certainly not be retiring from the Catalonia struggle.

Piqué and Barça players posing with the Catalonia flag

Can Anglophone footballers copy Piqué’s example? That is left to be seen. Eyong Enoh is a voice that could count for much. The midfielder is very popular, holds a cult hero status in Tiko, Buea with a very dedicated fan base in Mutengene. Now is the time for him to side with these fans who have always shown their unconditional support towards him. Clinton Njie just needs to see the turn out in the peaceful Buea rally recently to know what his supporters in Buea want. His voice in the struggle will be highly welcomed. Fai Collins should be aware that the people of Kumbo celebrated in fanfare when he was first called up to the national team. He should be aware that he lost a ‘Kumbo brother’ in the recent demonstrations in Bamenda. He must be aware that the people of Kumbo came out in the number to welcome Hon. Wirba after his heroic exploits at the National Assembly. He would be aware above all that the people need him to speak out and join the struggle.

Anglophone breed: Enoh and Njie should add their voices to the struggle

Next on the firing line is ENOW NGACHU. And I will still go back to the Catalonia example to justify why he ought to be vocal on the Anglophone problem. This time around I will pull out Pep Guardiola from the Lot.  Spain would not have achieved the recent successes without this man. He laid the groundwork for Spanish success with his Barcelona team. In fact, seven of the eleven players that started the 2010 World Cup final for Spain against the Netherlands were from Guardiola’s Barcelona Catalonia had won the World Cup for Spain, it was even argued back then. A clean sweep of domestic trophies as well as Champions League success enhanced Guardiola’s reputation in Spain and beyond but he was never flattered- he still opted for Catalan independence.

Barcelona supporters brandishing the Catalan flag

“If there’d been a Catalan State, I would have played for the Catalan national team because I am from Santpedor(a district in Catalonia),” Guardiola declared much to the dismay of then Spain's secretary of state for sport, Miguel Cardenal.

Pep has been vocal in his support for Catalonia independence

Back to Cameroon, if you conduct an opinion poll, it will be no surprise that Enow Ngachu will be amongst one of the most influential Cameroonians because of his exploits with the Women’s national team. He has not only brought to light the talent of Women in football but he has helped revived the sport after underwhelming performances by the men’s team had got fans disinterested in the sport. He has been in the spotlight, he is in the spotlight, and people listen when he speaks. Can he now gather the courage to speak out openly against Anglophone marginalization? Obviously, he can. If he and his team spoke passed across messages to stop early marriages of the girl child then it should be no different when it comes to the Anglophone question. Enow Ngachu can you please speak up!!!!

Hand on Heart? It should surely beat for the Anglophone struggle

Finally, Anglophone teams should come out of their shells- the struggle is equally for you. If you don’t know how to do it then borrow the Barcelona example.  We all love to watch FC Barcelona play because of their slick tiki-taka football but do you know they are at the heart of the Catalan struggle for independence? You just need to watch each of the league games to see close to 120.000 supporters fly the Catalan flags in every league game to remind the Spanish government of their right to independence.

Barça Supporters paint Nou Camp to Catalonia colours

In October 2014, the club published an official statement that it 'was one of the first institutions to declare it was in favor of the right to decide (for independence).''  Earlier in September, Barcelona marked the 300th anniversary of the loss of Catalan sovereignty to Spain by wearing the club`s red and gold away strip, the same colours as the Catalan flag, for the first time in a home game which they won two nil against Athletico Bilbao.

Supporters have equally used matches to express their views

Can Anglophone clubs now copy this example? Yes, they Can. The top Anglophone team at the moment is Yong Sports Academy-YOSA. Their supporters can devise strategies to voice the Anglophone struggles during Elite 1 matches. Their sister club National Polytechnic Bambui can do same in the Elite Two. 

YOSA and other Anglophone teams should add their voices to the struggle

However, there is no club in the SW region playing Elite football, but Elite matches will be staged in Buea and Limbe beginning January. Thus supporters going to the field in these towns could well device strategies to voice the Anglophone problem during the games. All Anglophone players going to the Africa Cup of Nations in January should not be indifferent, grant interviews, speak out, use the least opportunity or gesture to speak out to the world on the Anglophone problem.

Teacher, lawyer, student, trader, bike rider, taxi driver, footballer etc... it is and should be a collective fight. Every action counts!!!

Mali target Ghana scalp after thrashing Kenya

The head coach of Mali's Womens football team Oumar Guindo says they can beat Ghana and qualify for the semi finals of the competition.

The coach was upbeat after his side bounced back from a humiliating opening day defeat against Nigeria to beat Kenya 3-1 on Wednesday night at the Limbe Omnisports stadium.

Mali celebrate their first win

"Our performance in the first match was catastrophic and I congratulate my players for bouncing back in style. I promised that the second match was going to be surprise for all and you saw it.

The coach has now turned his sights for the next game against Ghana on Saturday.

"Expect another surprise in the next match against Ghana. The players were very motivated and played very well. Our objective is to qualify to the next round and if we beat Ghana, we can achieve it.

We are the first casualty-Kenya coach

The head coach of the Kenyan Women's team, David Ouma has lamented his team's performance after they crashed out of the ongoing Women's Africa Cup of Nations.

Kenya crashed to their second consecutive defeat after a 3-1 loss becoming the first side to exit the competiton and the coach lamented the fact that they did not take their chances.


"We are the first casualty and have not met our target in our maiden appearance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. We wanted to be in the semis, " Ouma said.

Ouma left disappointed with Kenya's loss

"The game was a simple analysis. We got a chance, fail to score; Mali gets same chance and they score. We got good chances to score but fantastic goalkeeping from Kenya denied us. Sometimes you need luck in a game.

"Our aim is to take the most from every game. We still have a game against Nigeria and there is nothing like resting key players. The players who are fit will play against Nigeria. We have to throw in what we have in the last game.