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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