Bayern Munich forward Eric Choupo-Moting is a glaring absence from Rigobert Song's Cameroon AFCON squad.
The exclusion of the highly-rated Bundesliga forward from the list made headlines. Cameroonian football fans questioned the decision as they expected the player to make the cut in Song's attacker's list for the five-star tournament.
Amid wrangles from disgruntled fans, Rigobert Song has broken his silence on why he left out Choupo-Moting from the 2023 African Cup of Nations squad.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting dropped from Cameroon 2023 AFCON squad
Image Credit: Getty
In a rather defiant tone, the former Cameroon international said Choupo-Moting is a top and important player but a decision has to be made.
"Choupo Moting is a very good player. But my staff and I have decided to remain in the continuity of recent games. He remains an important player but a choice had to be made and the choice was made. And for now, I'll go with those I chose," explained Song during a presser to announce his squad.
Based on his imperious tone, there are projections Song and Choupo-Moting are not on the same page hence the decision to drop him from the squad.
It is not the first time Rigobert Song has fallen out with his player. During 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Song axed Man United goalkeeper Andre Onana from the squad after the latter refused to play to his admonitions
Onana was flown home from Qatar midway into the tournament, and was forced to call time on his international career due to the bust-up.
However, the two parties were able to reconcile their differences with Onana coming out of retirement to return to the team.
Song's decision to exclude Choupo-Moting from Cameroon must have inevitably stemmed from an undisclosed misunderstanding between the two.
Choupo-Moting, 34, is a prolific striker for both club and country with lots of experience. He was born and raised in Germany but decided to represent Cameroon national team since 2010.
He has played in 2014 and 2022 World Cups, including the last AFCON tournament which was hosted by Cameroon. He had scored 20 goals in his 73 caps with the Indomitable Lions.
Cameroon 2023 AFCON Squad
Goalkeepers: Andre Onana, Fabrice Ondoa, Devis Epassy, Simon Ngapandouetnbu.
Defenders: Christopher Wooh, Junior Tchamadeu, Nouhou Tolo, Darlin Yongwa, Oumar Gonzalez, Harold Moukoudi, Jean Charles Castelletto, Malcom Bokele, Enzo Tchato.
Midfielders: Olivier Ntcham, Yvan Neyou, Doualla Wilfried Nathan, Ben Njongoue Elliott, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Olivier Kemen, Leonel Ateba.
Forwards: Vincent Aboubakar, Francois Regis Mughe, Georges-Kevin Nkoudou, Clinton Njie, Karl Toko Ekambi, Faris Moumbagna, Frank Magri.
The exclusion of the highly-rated Bundesliga forward from the list made headlines. Cameroonian football fans questioned the decision as they expected the player to make the cut in Song's attacker's list for the five-star tournament.
Amid wrangles from disgruntled fans, Rigobert Song has broken his silence on why he left out Choupo-Moting from the 2023 African Cup of Nations squad.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting dropped from Cameroon 2023 AFCON squad
Image Credit: Getty
In a rather defiant tone, the former Cameroon international said Choupo-Moting is a top and important player but a decision has to be made.
"Choupo Moting is a very good player. But my staff and I have decided to remain in the continuity of recent games. He remains an important player but a choice had to be made and the choice was made. And for now, I'll go with those I chose," explained Song during a presser to announce his squad.
Based on his imperious tone, there are projections Song and Choupo-Moting are not on the same page hence the decision to drop him from the squad.
It is not the first time Rigobert Song has fallen out with his player. During 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Song axed Man United goalkeeper Andre Onana from the squad after the latter refused to play to his admonitions
Onana was flown home from Qatar midway into the tournament, and was forced to call time on his international career due to the bust-up.
However, the two parties were able to reconcile their differences with Onana coming out of retirement to return to the team.
Song's decision to exclude Choupo-Moting from Cameroon must have inevitably stemmed from an undisclosed misunderstanding between the two.
Choupo-Moting, 34, is a prolific striker for both club and country with lots of experience. He was born and raised in Germany but decided to represent Cameroon national team since 2010.
He has played in 2014 and 2022 World Cups, including the last AFCON tournament which was hosted by Cameroon. He had scored 20 goals in his 73 caps with the Indomitable Lions.
Cameroon 2023 AFCON Squad
Goalkeepers: Andre Onana, Fabrice Ondoa, Devis Epassy, Simon Ngapandouetnbu.
Defenders: Christopher Wooh, Junior Tchamadeu, Nouhou Tolo, Darlin Yongwa, Oumar Gonzalez, Harold Moukoudi, Jean Charles Castelletto, Malcom Bokele, Enzo Tchato.
Midfielders: Olivier Ntcham, Yvan Neyou, Doualla Wilfried Nathan, Ben Njongoue Elliott, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Olivier Kemen, Leonel Ateba.
Forwards: Vincent Aboubakar, Francois Regis Mughe, Georges-Kevin Nkoudou, Clinton Njie, Karl Toko Ekambi, Faris Moumbagna, Frank Magri.