Indomitable Lions:
The Absence of Njie Cliton in the First 11
Persists.
By Dominic Elempia F.
Once
again the head coach has given a deaf ear to supporters of the Cameroon’s Indomitable
Lions as the rising star of the lions Njie Cliton was left on the bench in a
friendly against Indonesia on March 25. The Olympic Lyonais Striker has been in fine
form in recent months netting some important goals for his side in the French
League One.
The
battle for a first team choice for Njie Clinton has gone beyond the Nations Cup
during which many Cameroonians cried foul play on the case of the Buea Boy. So many
unconfirmed reasons were advanced as to the reason why the German striker decided
to leave him on the bench all through the Nations Cup. Amongst others was the influence
of Football managers on the national team to see their players play thereby
comprising meritocracy in the Lion’s Den, the bad relationship between FECAFOOT
Secretary General Tombi a Roko and the president of Ecole de Brasseries which
Njie Clinton passed through and some even went as far as attributing it to his
region of origin. Being an Anglophone the
Francophone football administrators could not see him replacing Samuel Eto’o.
After
much criticism at the nation’s cup many expected to see Papi Muclala as he is fondly
called in the lion’s shirts once again but that was not the case in the lion’s
first outing after the AFCON. He was left out for the entire game. We are still
to confirm whether he was injured or not.
Cameroon
came out victorious though, with a 35th minute strike from the
Captain of the day Aboubakar Vincent making the difference of the match;
Cameroon 1 – 0 Indonesia.
The
match stated with Fabrice Ondoua at the goal, Henri Bedimo at the left wing, Chedjou and new comer Gweni Ndassi at the
central defense and Oyongo Bitolo later replaced by Jerome Gihoata at the 79th
minute at the right back.
In
the midfield Volke Finke played Eyong Enoh, Cedric Loe, Moukandjo, Dani Ndi who was later replaced by Guy
Christian Zock at the 75th minute. While Aboukakar Vincent captain
of the day due to the absence of Stephane Mbia and Vice-captain Choupo Moting
and Leonard Kwekeu mounted the attack line.
Cameroon
plays Thailand in another friendly on Saturday March 28.
