Fans of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon have criticized head coach Marc Brys for snubbing local players, particularly Nchindo John Bosco who was recently crowned best player of the Elite One.
Most fans received the news with consternation on Thursday when the Belgian tactician released a list of 26 players to face Eswatini and Libya on March 19 and 25 respectively.
The fact that no local player featured on the list, they argue, is counterproductive to the promotion of local football.
In response, the coach said he does not follow local football since he lives abroad, shifting the responsibility to his assistants. Regarding John Bosco, he revealed that the former Yong Sports Academy star lacks confidence.
“I don’t live here, I work here and there are times when I’m not here. That means that the local matches have to be followed by my assistants. If there is anything, they have to send it to me so I can analyze it,” the coach said at a press conference in Yaounde on Thursday, March 13.
“As for John Bosco, it’s true that I had him and I also had some images of him. When he was with us, he unfortunately didn’t adapt sufficiently and he was too nervous,” Marc Brys said of the Ballon d’Or winner.
However, the coach didn’t close the door on John Bosco. “I am very happy that he won the Ballon d’Or. It will give him a lot of confidence and that’s what he was missing. It was too early but in future, if he continues that way with a lot of self-confidence he will be in the team”.
Fans are also unhappy with Marc Brys for leaving out Elite One best keeper, Idriss Nfor of Colombe of the South. Nfor who was voted as the league’s best goalkeeper at the 2024 Ballon d’Or night in Yaounde last month has kept eight clean sheets so far this season, but he is not among four goalkeepers on the coach’s list.
The bigger picture
Since coming to power, Samuel Eto’o Fils has made the Cameroon Ballon d’Or one of the pillars of his mission to revolutionize football in his country. So far, he has successfully organized the event three times with the latest edition hosted in Yaounde just last month.
Many football lovers have applauded this attempt to resurrect the long forsaken awards, arguing that it’s a huge step forward in promoting and giving value to local talents.
As a result, they believe the coach of the national team should join the FA on this mission. But then, the coach sees things from a different angle, which is natural on the one hand and unnatural on the other hand, with regards to the status quo.
It is natural since a coach is hired because he is the master of his job. He decides who is fit and qualified to play where and when he judges appropriate in order to maximize positive results and minimize losses, lest he loses his job.
It’s unnatural according to critics because they suspect his choices might be influenced by his fractured relationship with Samuel Eto’o, the FA president.
At the press conference, it was conspicuous enough that they might not be burying the hatchet anytime soon. Asked whether he congratulated Eto’o on his election as member of the executive committee of the Confederation of African Football on March 12, the Belgian brushed the question aside, saying nobody congratulated him on qualifying the Lions to the Africa Cup of Nations. The more reason why the one’s ideas might not be promoted by the other.
This argument is further cemented by the absence of a few other names from the list like Etienne Eto’o Pineda (son of Samuel Eto’o) and Fabrice Ondoa (who appears to be pro Eto’o), despite their brilliance this season with their clubs.
But then, this is not new. No list has ever been accepted by everyone. Football is a game of passion, and people hold opinions based on what the heart dictates to them.
That’s why some Cameroonians are grateful to the coach for calling up Fai Collins, FC Porto forward Danny Namoso and several others.
Full squad
Goalkeepers
Andre Onana, Simon Omossola, Devis Epassy, Simon Ngapandouetnbu
Defenders
Christopher Wooh, Jackson Tchatchoua, Joyskim Dawa, Nouhou Tolo, Michale Ngadeu Ngadjui, Guy-Marcelin Kilama, Fai Collins and Flavien Boyomo
Midfielders
Zambo Anguissa, Carlos Baleba, James Eto’o, Martin Hongla, Yvan Neyou, and Wilitty Younoussa
Forwards
Bryan Mbeumo, Moumi Ngamaleu, Frank Magri, Vincent Aboubakar, Nathan N’goumou Minpole, Danny Namaso and Ignatius Ganaco.
