By Ekema Njoku M.

Real Mallorca sensation, Etienne Eto’o, and five other Cameroonians plying their trade in Europe and other foreign countries will not take part in the 2019 U-17 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.   

In the final shortlist made public by Head Trainer of the Curb Lions, Thomas Libih, Eto’o and five other foreign based U-17s have been given a blind eye in respect of a presidential decree signed as law number 2014/384 of September 26, 2014, which states that only home based players must represent Cameroon in international assignments.

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Complete List of players and their clubs:

Manfred Ekoi Mekumba:      BEST STAR ACADEMY

Yvan Lafont Tiwa:              FONDATION TAFI

Jacques Bruno Beubap:      EFBC

Toni Wilfried Nang:             AS NGEUG

Francois Benjamin Bere:                 OYILI FC

Fabrice Ndzie Mezama:                   FONDATION TAFI

Severin Jr Essono Ze:            ACADEMY AHALA

Ricky Stephane Ngatchou:              AS FORTUNA

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Aoudou Moussa:                  REAL ACADEMY DE NEW BELL

Patrice Ngolna:                                  AS MILET

Amadou Daouda:                 OYILI FC

Ben Hamed Ndongo:                       DAUPHINE FC DE DOUALA

Steve Mvoue Regis:                         AS AZUR STAR

Marc Frank Medou Bella:    APEJES DE MFOU

Gael Jordan Kingue:                        AS MILET

Cyril Loic Onana:                  ACADEMY HALA

Yanick Noah:                                     SAHEL FC

Ismaila Seidou:                                  INTERNATIONAL

Leonel Wamba:                                AS MENOUA

Samuel Bakia Nongoh:        DAUPHINE FC DOUALA

Adrien Arnold Eba:                LEKIE FC DE YAOUNDE

Speaking to Atlantic Chronicles after the publication of this list, sports analyst and commentator, Boris Essono said: “It is a good law to promote home-based players, but prohibiting some of our wonderful talents plying their trade in foreign countries isn’t the best, I think they could say at most 3-5 players should come from abroad. What if these players naturalise in other countries?” he questioned. Another young player sees this law as a good one but also says it should be revisited “Yes it is a good move to support local talent but what of those foreign players who see this as the only scenario to show the world they are patriotic Cameroonians.”

The U-17 tourney is scheduled to kick-off from October 26 through to November 17 and African Champions (Cameroon) are ceded in group E with Spain, Argentina and Tajikistan.

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