Cameroon: Presidential decree deprives junior binational U17 World Cup

Published on
18.10.2019 at 18:18
by
APA

Thomas Libiih, the coach of Cameroon's national under-17 team, was forced to dismiss, for binational reasons, six players he had pre-selected for the World Cup in the category scheduled for 21 October November 17, 2019 in Brazil. Before proceeding to the publication of his list, the local technician had seized the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) to know if the selection of players evolving abroad does not violate a presidential decree of the September 26, 2014.

Indeed, it provides that "for national football teams U15 (minimal) and U17 (cadets), only players registered in the competitions organized by FECAFOOT can be selected".

For his part, Seidou Mbombo Njoya, the president of the governing body of Cameroonian football has enjoined the coach "in execution of the instructions of the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, to constitute and communicate to Fifa (International Federation of football association) the final list of players regardless of any restriction.

Except that the following day the Minister of Sports, Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, from whom a derogation had been requested, regretted that "the problem is posed so late in view of the constraints of the investigation of such a file, the time of necessary assessment at the different hierarchical levels and binding deadlines for players' final commitment for the competition concerned ".

These procrastinations made Thomas Libiih stand out: "People sit in desks, eat our money and try to impose things on us. If the Fecafoot does not take its responsibilities, it is not for me to violate the decree of the Head of State.

In an e-mail, Jordan Konango (AS Monaco, France), one of six players dismissed from the Den, said: "Unfortunately, the U17 World Cup will be without my five brothers and me because of a law … Despite this immense disappointment, I want to thank the team and the staff for the wonderful welcome ".

The other five private Lionceaux of the World Cup are Etienne Eto'o (Mallorca, Spain), Dani Borel Fotso (AS Roma, Italy), Bryan Djile Nokoue (Saint-Étienne, France), Enzo Tchato (Montpellier, France) and Joel Aurel Tiki (Olympique Lyonnais, France).