Yaounde: Striker Samuel Eto'o has been included in Cameroon's final World Cup squad and backed by the country's football federation after he threatened to skip the tournament following criticism by former great Roger Milla.
Coach Paul Le Guen named Eto'o captain in his final 23-man group for South Africa following Saturday's 1-1 draw with Slovakia in a friendly in Austria.
"Following statements made in the media by some major figures of our football which disturb the serenity of our national team, the Cameroon Football Federation invites the public to remain united around the athletes of the Indomitable Lions," said Cameroon Football Federation president Iya Mohammed on Sunday.
The Inter Milan forward had threatened to walk out after Milla said Eto'o had achieved much for his European clubs but failed to match the achievements playing for Cameroon. Eto'o responded by saying he may not play at the 2010 World Cup.
The exchange led to a national debate among Cameroon's football fans, and led the minister of sport to hastily arrange a trip to Europe to assure Eto'o of his position as captain and that the team had full government support.
Eto'o, 29, was rested for the Slovakia match after winning the Champions League with Inter Milan last weekend.
Le Guen's World Cup squad includes Tottenham defenders Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Sebastien Bassong, and veteran pair Geremi and Rigobert Song.
Midfielders Eyong Enoh of Ajax, Alex Song of Arsenal and Lyon's Jean Makoun are also included, along with forwards Eto'o, Mohamadou Idrissou and Vincent Aboubakar — who is the only Cameroon-based player in the 23.
Jacques Zoua, an 18-year-old striker who plays for FC Basel, was ruled out with injury last week.
Cameroon are due to arrive in South Africa on June 9, and play Japan, Denmark and the Netherlands in Group E.
Cameroon's performance in Italy in 1990 is still the team's best World Cup showing. Inspired by the goals of the 38-year-old Milla, the Indomitable Lions reached the quarterfinals before losing to England.
It was one of the best performances by an African team at a World Cup, matched only by Senegal, in 2002.
Comments
0 comment