To play for the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in future, a player would have to pass a “patriotism test”, the federation president Samuel Eto’o has said.Cameroon, five time African champions, are having a torrid time at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Ivory Coast 2023, and are yet to pick a win in two games.AFCON2023: Lions of Teranga roar into the round of sixteen after win over CameroonThe Central African football powerhouse drew 1-1 against Guinea in their Group C opener before suffering a humiliating 3-1 loss to defending champions Senegal in their second fixture.In a statement, Eto’o expressed disappointment at lack of commitment to the national colors by players, most of whom were born outside the country.”Dear brothers, I understand you. Many of you were not born in Cameroon and have never played for a club in Cameroon.”The advice of a Cameroonian coach is beneficial to a footballer from the start of his career until the end. You who were born there have too many rights over the leaders. Cameroon taught me that I am a soldier within the National team. I will die with this spirit,” the former Barcelona and Chelsea star said.Mtazame Etoo anavyomtazama halafu LASTI BONI mwenyewe hana habari anacheka tu pic.twitter.com/PPcKHo30BX— AHMED ABDALLAH (@AhmedAbdallahTL) January 21, 2024 “Cameroon has just gone through humiliation just because love for the Fatherland is not 100% there. Excuse me for talking about myself. I could play two matches on the same day for the love of our beautiful country. I did it, Roger Milla did it and François Omam Biyick did it.“Do you believe that Cameroon paid us more than our clubs? Not even 1/10 of what we received elsewhere.##NAJAVA_MECA_7812071##“You play with too many reserves, what are you afraid of? Dying for the homeland surpasses all the money on this earth. Manga Onguené broke his foot for this country, he was better than me at the time. He continues to respect his country despite everything.“What I remember from you this Friday. We made a mistake bringing you in to play for the flag. But after the AFCON, things will change. We are going to do a patriotism test before having young Cameroonians play in the National team. Good continuity in the competition!” Cameroon will play The Gambia in their final game.
AFCON 2023- GROUP STAGERound 2ThursdayEquatorial Guinea – Guinea Bissau 4-2 (1-1)/Nsue 21, 51, 61, Miranda 46 – Orosco 37, Ze Turbo 90+3/Ivory Coast – Nigeria 0-1 (0-0)/Troost-Ekong 54 pen/Egypt – Ghana 2-2 (0-1)/Marmoush 69, M. Mohamed 74 – Kudus 45+3, 71/FridayCape Verde – Mozambique 3-0 (1-0)/Bebe 32, Ryan Mendes 51, Kevin Pina 69/Senegal – Cameroon 3-1 (1-0)/I. Sarr 16, H. Diallo 71, Mane 90+5 – Castelletto 83/Guinea – Gambia 1-0 (0-0)/A. Camara 69/Algeria – Burkina Faso 2-2 (0-1)/B. Bounedjah 51,90+5- M. Konate 45+3, B. Traore 71/Mauritania-Angola 2-3 (1-1)/Bouna 43, Koita 58 – Dala 30,50, Gilberto 53/Tunisia – Mali 1-1 (1-1)/Rafia 20 – Sinayoko 10/SundayMorocco – DR Congo 1-1 (1-0)/Hakimi 6 – Silas 76/20:00: (2.30) Zambia (3.15) Tanzania (3.35)23:00: (2.00) S.Africa (3.30) Namibia (4.00)***odds are subject to change***