AFCON 2017: Patrick Mboma wants sanctions after defections in Cameroon

No fewer than eight players have given up on AFCON 2017 with Cameroon, preferring, for the most part, to preserve their place in the club. The former "indomitable Lion" Patrick Mboma is "annoyed" by this wave of defections and advocates "penalties" for players who have refused the jersey.

It is a real haemorrhage. An unprecedented bleeding for the Cameroonian selection for an AFCON. The "indomitable Lions", eliminated in the first round in 2015, will not land in Gabon with their best elements. Eight players, including starters or contenders, preferred to focus on their club rather than defend the Cameroon jersey. A "financial and not career" choice, said former Cameroon striker Patrick Mboma who predicts that many of them "will regret their decision".

"The Nation, one cherishes it or one does not cherish it"

The former PSG player believes that apart from Bordelais, Maxime Poundje, who has chosen France, the others have no excuse and should even be sanctioned by the Cameroonian Federation. Fecafoot could take action against these players in accordance with FIFA regulations, but "it will not do it," Mboma said. The double champion of Africa militates so that these players are never again recalled in selection even if Cameroon qualifies at the next World Cup. "You do not come today, you do not come anymore. The Nation, it has been cherished or not cherished, "asserts the one who" refused contracts in European clubs giving priority to its selection ".

Among the absentees, some, like Eric Choupo Moting, have decided to take their distance believing lack of consideration within the selection. Schalke, former vice-captain, is no longer in the national team since the arrival of Hugo Broos almost a year ago. The problems of organization, bonuses and lost attractiveness of the national team also weighed on the decision of several players. "Cameroon does not seduce any more, it is true, recognizes Mboma. Otherwise, we would have had a wave of binationals that could boost the selection in the image of the DRC. "

Mboma remains optimistic

However, in spite of these defections, Patrick Mboma is optimistic about the chances of the "indomitable Lions" at the Gabonese Afcon 2017, especially after their 2-0 victory against DR Congo on Thursday 5 January. "We can do without these absentees. It's not like Samuel Eto'o or Rigobert Song, at their peak, decides not to come to the national team. "

As for the former player of Parma, the last five games of the Lions show that of the eight absent only, the right-hand side Allan Nyom was regularly in the starting line-up. Cameroon will play its 18th AFCON and share Pool A with Gabon, host country, Burkina Faso, and Guinea Bissau.

The eight indomitable Lions who said "no"

1 - Eric Choupo Moting, striker (Schalke 04)

2 - Guy Roland Ndy Assembe, goalkeeper (Nancy)

3 - Joël Matip, central defender (Liverpool)

4 - Allan Nyom, right back (West Bromwich)

5 - Ibrahim Amadou, central defender or defensive midfielder (Lille)

6 - André Onana, goalkeeper (Ajax Amsterdam)

7 - Maxime Poundje, back left (Bordeaux)

8 - André Zambo Anguissa, defensive midfielder (Olympique Marseille)