The Absence of Njie Cliton in the First 11 Persists.

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 35^th 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 79^th 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 75^th 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.