Cameroon

8, November 2020

Football: Alex Song completes move to Djibouti ⁰

Former FC Barcelona and Cameroon midfielder, Alex Song, has joined Djiboutian side AS Arta Solar7 in a shock move on a permanent deal.

Since making his professional debut back in 2004 with Bastia in Ligue 1, Song seemed to be on the right path to success as his performances earned him a move to then Premier League champions Arsenal at sheer age of 17.

Seven years later, Spanish powerhouse FC Barcelona came calling and eventually acquired his services for a reported £15 million fee after 215 appearances with the Gunners.

However, Song struggled to break into the starting lineup ahead of Sergio Busquets, and the Catalans decided to loan him to Premier League outfit West Ham for the 2014/15 season.

Song settled quickly into the Hammers’ first team and became one of the Londoners’ top players.

In 2016, he was able to finalize a permanent move to Rubin Kazan on a free transfer coming from Barcelona but only played 23 matches in two years, before signing for Swiss side Sion.

Alex Song has now completed a shock move to Djiboutian side AS Arta Solar7 on a reported two-year deal.

Arta finished fourth on the Djibouti Premier League table last season with 24 points, four behind champions Total FC just missing out on the continental football.

Source: Kingfut.com

31, October 2020

Cameroon legend Geremi opposed to Africa Cup matches in Europe ⁰

Cameroon football legend Geremi Njitap says African countries must not be allowed to stage Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Europe during the coronavirus pandemic.

There have been reports that Senegal and Guinea-Bissau were “discussing” moving back-to-back matches during November from Dakar and Bissau to Portugal.

Senegal had to postpone at the last minute this month a warm-up match when eight of the visiting Mauritania delegation tested positive for Covid-19.

However, that was the only friendly international in the continent during October to be cancelled while two in Portugal and one in Turkey involving African teams were called off due to coronavirus.

Answering a question from AFP at a videoconference organised by the Netherlands-based global professional footballers’ union FIFPro, Geremi said: “I do not believe CAF will allow that.

“This is an African competition and there is no way matches can be played in Europe,” said the former Real Madrid, Chelsea and Cameroon defender-cum-midfielder and FIFPro board member.

“Of course, staging qualifiers in Europe would be better for most of the players because that is where they are based.

“I have no objection to friendly internationals involving African countries being staged in Europe, but not Cup of Nations nor World Cup qualifiers.

“African football supporters will not accept that — they want to cheer their heroes on even if the numbers at grounds may be severely limited by the pandemic.”

FIFPro general secretary Jonas Baer-Hoffmann warned that health protocols “do not change one bit” whether matches are staged in Africa or Europe.

“It is very important to make clear that the responsibilities and obligations of federations in terms of health protocols do not change.

“During the international window this month, many footballers in Europe contracted the virus after being with national teams.

“Irrespective of whether matches are staged in Africa or Europe, federations need to do a better job than they did this month when providing health safeguards.

– ‘Big risk’ –

“Otherwise, there is a big risk of many positive cases which can impact on how Africa proceeds with qualifying for the Cup of Nations and World Cup.”

There are 48 Cup of Nations qualifiers scheduled between November 9 and 17, including defending champions Algeria playing Zimbabwe at home and away.

Geremi was also asked if he agreed with 1995 World, European and African Footballer of the Year and now Liberia president George Weah that Covid-19 posed a huge threat to African football.

“Football is more than a religion in Africa and an Africa without football is unimaginable,” said the former star who made 118 appearances for the Cameroon national team, the Indomitable Lions.

“Kids love football, and many poor families see the sport as a path to a better life if a child can develop their talents and secure a professional contract.

“Governments and companies cannot stop putting money into football,” he said, reacting to the fears of Weah that there will be a “large drop-off” in funding from the public and private sectors.

“Where these (sponsorships) no longer exist, many clubs will collapse and leagues will close permanently,” Weah told a recent videoconference organised by the Africa Sports Ventures group.

“It is my considered opinion that the future of sport in Africa is bleak, and not guaranteed to recover,” said the ex-Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, Chelsea, Manchester City and Marseille forward.

“Health and economic recovery take absolute priority, however it is important that the global funding being raised should recognise the social importance of sport.”

Source: AFP

22, October 2020

CPDM Football: Yaoundé sacks coach ahead of CHAN ⁰

Cameroon sacked head coach of their national football team Yves Clement Arroga on Wednesday, barely three months before the start of the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

The country’s Minister of Sports and Physical Education Narcisse Mouelle Kombi confirmed the decision in a communique issued after a meeting held in the capital, Yaounde.

Kombi said, the performances of the coach “did not meet expectations,” and added that he will be replaced by Martin Mpile Ndtoungou “as a precautionary measure.”

Arroga has faced growing criticism since the national team suffered a shocking defeat against a local first division club, and subsequent back-to-back draws against the visiting senior national team of South Sudan.

The CHAN is a competition open to players in local leagues. It will be the sixth edition and Cameroon will host the finals for the first time ever.

Source: Xinhuanet

22, October 2020

Eto’o says Moukoko should be Messi’s successor at Barcelona ⁰

The Cameroon superstar has urged his former employers to sign the Borussia Dortmund sensation. Barcelona should target Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Youssoufa Moukoko as the long-term successor to Lionel Messi, according to Samuel Eto’o.

The 15-year-old has been included in BVB’s Champions League squad this season, even though he isn’t eligible to feature in Europe’s premier club competition until he turns 16 on November 20.

Despite not yet making his senior debut for Dortmund, Moukoko is the player Barca should be targeting as they look for a long-term successor to 33-year-old Messi according to the Argentine’s former teammate Eto’o, who was twice a Champions League winner during five years at Camp Nou.

“[There’s] a young player who plays for Dortmund called Youssoufa Moukoko,” Eto’o told Goal when asked who he’d love to see as Barcelona’s next big signing. “[He’s] 15 years of age, and he’s the next top player, for me, after Messi.

“As Messi gets older, we could prepare the future of Barcelona very well.”

Eto’o believes that Moukoko could form a dream post-Messi front three alongside France duo Antoine Griezmann and current Paris Saint-Germain attacker Kylian Mbappe, who is another player he’d love to see move to the Camp Nou.

“With Antoine and Youssoufa [up front together], that team would go forward very well,” Eto’o concluded. “[I’d like to see] Kylian Mbappe at Barcelona also.”

Messi appeared close to an exit from Barcelona at one point this summer, having handed in a transfer request following a tumultuous 2019-20 season, which saw the Catalan heavyweights humiliated 8-2 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals and dethroned by Real Madrid in La Liga.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner ultimately opted to remain at the Camp Nou this term, despite reservations about the direction the club are heading in under Ronald Koeman.

Barca, who begin their Champions League campaign against Ferencvaros on Wednesday, are currently ninth in La Liga after four matches, having fallen to a 1-0 defeat at Getafe on Saturday.

German-Cameroonian forward Moukoko, who was ranked 44th in Goal’s NxGn 2020 list celebrating the 50 best wonderkids in football, is the youngest player to play and score in the Uefa Youth League.

He has already represented Germany at U-20 level, and has scored an eye-watering 134 goals in 86 appearances for Dortmund between U-17 and U-19 levels.

Source: Goal.com

19, October 2020

Football: Barca’s Dutch coach says Cameroon international Nyom mocked him after Getafe defeat ⁰

The Dutch coach was seen arguing with Bordalas at the end of the match and explained in the post-match news conference that Cameroon international Nyom had mocked him.

“I told him (Bordalas) that his number 12 (Nyom) had shown me a lack of respect, he had said two or three very ugly things to me which I won’t repeat. He insulted me,” Koeman said.

“I told Bordalas that he needs to speak to his player, because we cannot tolerate that type of behaviour in modern football.”

Bordalas said he did not think his player had insulted Koeman.

“I’m here to talk about football, not about controversy. I haven’t spoken to the boy, I will tomorrow, but I doubt that Nyom would do that, I know him well,” said the Getafe coach.

“He’s very competitive, but he’s a very respectful person. I don’t allow bad behaviour among my players but I doubt that Nyom insulted him.”

Jaime Mata’s second-half penalty inflicted a first defeat of the season on Barca after four matches, and Koeman suggested he thought the crucial spot-kick, given for a foul by Frenkie de Jong on Djene Dakonam, was soft.

“I don’t know if it was a penalty, it looked like they were looking for it and we fell into the trap. I don’t know if we had VAR or not today,” he said.

“I don’t like to talk about referees, but if you watch the match and see how many fouls they made and how many cards were given out, then you can make your own mind up.”

Getafe, who have a well-earned reputation as one of the most unforgiving sides to play against in La Liga, made 20 fouls to Barcelona’s nine during the game, receiving four yellow cards to the visitors’ three.

“We knew this was a very difficult ground to come to but we tried to create passages of play and move the ball around quickly and they kept disrupting that with fouls,” Koeman added.

Source: Reuters

17, October 2020

Football: Eto’o meets Chadian President at N’djamena Palace ⁰

The meeting between the Cameroonian football legend and the Chadian Head of State took place on Thursday, October 15, 2020 in N’djamena, on the sidelines of a tournament for the detection of young talents for which the former La Liga “pichichi” was the special guest.

Samuel Eto’o Fils was received in audience at the presidential palace of N’djamena, by President, Idriss Deby Itno. The “pichichi” and the Chadian head of state exchanged at length on the issue of the development of football in Chad, with the construction of a football school in the Chadian capital, the fruit of a partnership between the Chadian state and the Samuel Eto’o Foundation.

The avenues of a partnership was also explored between Samuel Eto’o’s organisation and the “Grand Coeur” Foundation of the Chadian first lady Hinda Deby Itno, whom the former Barcelona man also met after his audience with the president.

At the end of the tournament, Eto’o selected 15 young Chadians who will benefit from a two-year training scholarship at the Kadji Sports Academy (KSA) in Douala, where he himself was moulded before flying to Europe.

By Rita Akana

13, October 2020

Indomitable Lions: Conceicao targets Afcon final on home soil ⁰

The Indomitable Lions will host the continental tournament with the hope of winning it for the sixth time

Cameroon manager Antonio Conceicao aims to see the Indomitable Lions reach the final of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations which they will host for the second time in their history.

The tournament was scheduled to take place between January and February 2021 but due to the coronavirus pandemic, it had to be pushed forward to 2022.

Cameroon have automatically qualified by virtue of being hosts and Conceicao – who took over the job of the national team on September 2019 after Dutch legend Clarence Seedorf was sacked, wants to reclaim the title they had won in 2017.

“We have automatically qualified as the organising country. We are taking advantage of this qualifying phase and these friendly matches to manage to collect as much information as possible about the players we are calling in terms of personalities and sports skills,” Conceicao told FootMercato.

“That’s why we’re changing six to seven players per roster, to see as many as possible. The goal is to bring together the best possible group for the competition with the objective of reaching the Afcon final, because we will play at home. Our responsibility is great.

“We know what the hosting and its success represent for the Cameroonian people. From that moment on, we must be well prepared to take up this challenge, because the demand is great, the responsibility just as much.”

There a number of French-born players of Cameroonian descent plying their trade in Ligue 1. Conceicao reveals contact has been made with players who are interested in switching international allegiance.

“We have other players playing in France on our radar,” Conceicao continued. “I cannot say any names, but we have already contacted young people aged 20-21 who play with the youth teams in France and have Cameroonian origins, to find out if they are available to come and defend the colours of Cameroon.

“Some are thinking, some have said no. We must be attentive to the breeding grounds in France and England, which may represent the future of Cameroonian football. We will see if we are lucky in this endeavour.”

Source: Goal.com

10, October 2020

Indomitable Lions: Two players test positive for Covid-19 ahead of Japan game ⁰

Goalkeeper Andre Onana and midfielder Pierre Kunde Malong won’t play in Cameroon’s friendly game against Japan on Friday as both returned positive test results for Covid-19.

Cameroon team doctor William Ngatchou revealed on Thursday in a press conference that both Andre Onana and Pierre Kunde Malong have tested positive for Coronavirus and won’t be part of the Cameroon squad for the friendly game against Japan at the Stadion Galgenwaard in Utrecht, Netherlands.

According to Dr. Ngatchou, the two players have been in contact with virus carriers for over six weeks although neither of them developed any symptoms, pointing out that In such cases a patient can’t test negative one day and positive the next as all the results of the players’ tests were negative last Monday.

Cameroon’s squad will comprise 17 players only

In compliance with FIFA regulations, the two players won’t be part of Cameroon’s plans for tomorrow’s game, which leaves coach Antonio Conceicao with a 17-player squad for the friendly, as three more players will miss the game due to other medical issues.

Onana contracts the virus a second time

This is the second time for Andre Onana to contract the infection as he had tested positive for Covid-19 in August and managed to recover.

The game against Japan is the Cameroon squads first meeting following the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak that put all football-related activities on hold since last March as the Indomitable Lions are preparing for the third round of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers group stage scheduled for November.

Source: m.allfootballapp.com

5, October 2020

Football: Eric Choupo Moting set to join Bayern Munich ⁰

BFW ran an opinion piece yesterday, stating how Eric Choupo-Moting, the former PSG striker, should join Bayern Munich. Written with humour, the piece was purely an opinion piece and a personal wish. However, reports have come out today that states Bayern is not only interested in signing the player, but are on the verge of making it official.

According to foot Mercato’s Saber Desfarges, the Hamburg-native is close to signing for the treble winners! Choupo-Moting is said to be in “advanced contact” with the German side.

As mentioned in yesterday’s piece, the player could be a shrewd signing for the club. Firstly, he is a free agent and won’t require extraordinary wages. Furthermore, he is a consummate professional who is used to the Bundesliga atmosphere. As a result, Choupo-Moting would be a cheap signing that can provide experienced attacking depth.

One thing is for sure: The Bayern board clearly draws inspiration from opinion pieces made by Bavarian Football Works.

Source: Bavarianfootballworks

4, October 2020

Yaoundé announces resumption of sporting activities amid COVID-19 ⁰

Cameroon’s Minister of Sports and Physical Education Narcisse Mouelle Kombi on Thursday announced the resumption of all sporting and physical activities in the country after several months of COVID-19 disruptions.

The activities must take place in strict respect of health and anti-COVID measures prescribed by the government, Kombi said in a statement.

“For now and until further notice, the number of participants for each sporting event must not exceed 200,” Kombi said.

All sporting activities in the country were halted in March when the government banned all gatherings in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The restart of sporting activities will now permit the country intensify training as it prepares to host 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2021 African Nations Championship (CHAN), officials said.

Source: en-brinkwire