
Audio By Carbonatix
Samuel Eto'o has refused to play for Cameroon as a protest against what he describes as the "amateurish and poorly organised" national team set-up.The striker was in the squad to face Cape Verde in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in September after completing an eight-month international ban.
But Eto'o said in a letter to the Cameroon Football Federation that he had put his return "on hold"."The shortcomings I raised as team captain are unresolved," he said.
Eto'o, who has won 109 caps and scored 54 goals for Cameroon, was suspended for his part in a player strike over unpaid bonuses following a tournament in Morocco last year.The Cameroon Football Federation notified Eto'o, his lawyer and his Russian club Anhzi Makhachkala that his ban has expired earlier in the week.
And coach Denis Lavagne picked Eto'o in a 23-man squad to face Cape Verde on 8 September for the first leg in the final round of qualifying for the 2013 Cup of Nations.But the former Cameroon skipper remains unhappy about issues such as poor management of the national team and long flights in second class and has made himself unavailable for selection."Our national team continues to dwell in an environment characterised by amateurism and poor organisation not compatible with professional sports," wrote Eto'o in his letter to the CFF."I doubt if supporters of the Indomitable Lions will understand my move aimed at attracting attention to the imperative necessity to make the team professional."The team is a veritable institution that has contributed much to the nation and from which much is still expected."Lavagne had already expressed his intention to removed Eto'o as captain on his return from suspension. Eto'o's decision not to play has now laid that issue to rest.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Cape Coast MCE orders renewed demolition of buildings on waterways after deadly floods
28 seconds -
GNAFF calls for audit of One District, One Dam project amid renewed rainfall
2 minutes -
Bond market: Turnover declines by 24% to GH¢5.41bn
4 minutes -
Gov’t allocates land for refugee farming under new integration initiative
4 minutes -
Taxpayers must register before fulfilling their tax obligations – GRA
9 minutes -
APSU 2002 Legacy Project: Prof Kofi Abotsi urges alumni to give back as a sacred duty
18 minutes -
GRA urges fair treatment for taxpayers, highlights right to assistance and appeal
22 minutes -
Ahiagbah urges government to complete Afari Military Hospital, says project 98% done
32 minutes -
Former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke acquitted of bribery after 13-year UK probe
34 minutes -
UK law enforcement destroyed my reputation and integrity, ex-Nigerian oil minister tells BBC
40 minutes -
Presidency to determine eligibility for siren use by government appointees
48 minutes -
Interior ministry overhauls firearm licensing system, introduces mental health and drug tests for applicants
1 hour -
Interior Minister suspends all active gun licenses in Ghana, orders fresh screening
1 hour -
Interior Ministry to publicly destroy seized weapons on July 9 as gun amnesty ends
1 hour -
Scrip T drops visuals for new single “Am Ghosting”
1 hour