Innocent Mbunwe
6 February 2009
Indomitable Lions head coach, Otto Pfister's 23-man squad for the friendly against the Syli National of Guinea-Conakry billed for February 11, in Paris, France, contains two Cameroonians of controversial nationality.
Goalkeeper Apoula Edel of French club, Paris Saint Germain is holding an Armenian nationality while Premiership side Tottenham defender, Assou Ekotto Benoït, has a French nationality.
Keeper Apoula Edima Bete Edel, born June 17, 1986, at Ekom I-Mfou, Yaounde, started his career with PWD Kumba in early 2000. He later moved to Pyunik Yerevan of Armenia where he had a remarkable performance with his club, winning the championship in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 consecutively.
The agile keeper was later integrated into the Armenian junior team. Apoula has had 60 call ups with the Armenian junior team and five selections with the senior team. Apoula left Armenia for Bucharest of Romania for one season and won the Romanian Cup that season. The 22-year-old international goalkeeper's case is still pending with FIFA to take over Cameroon Nationality. He plays for PSG as the third keeper.
Assou Ekotto Benoït had been called to the Lions den in so many occasions but has never showed up. Ekotto, born in Arras, France, on March 24, 1984, to Cameroonian parents, is a defender itching to done the Lions jersey.
The 24-year-old Franco-Cameroonian joined Racing club of Lens football school at the age of 10. Twelve years later, the defender joined Tottenham Hotspur of England where he currently plays.
Controversy over his nationality, soccer experts say, has been the bone of contention that has barred the player from donning the Lions t-shirt. He said in an interview before the 2008 Nations Cup in Ghana that he would like to play for the Lions during the eliminatory of the 2010 joint World and African Cup of Nations and has been given another chance.
Since January 2007, during the friendly game between the Lions and Spanish Vigo selection, Rudolf Douala Mbella has not been seen in the den.Currently playing for Greece club, Asteras Tripolis, Mbella, 30, is a globe trotter. The striker has had spells with clubs in France, Portugal, Spain, England and Romania.
After his brilliant show at the 2006 Nations Cup in Egypt, Lions fans are yet to watch him play again. It should be noted that Mbella entered the Lions camp on October 9, 2004, during a Sudan-Cameroon game, marking the 2006 World and African Nations Cup qualifies.
At the time, Mbella was at his peak at Spotting Lisbon of Portugal where he even played the UEFA Cup final against Portsmouth that year.
Herve Tum, who now plays for Turkish side, Sivasspor, Kulubu, has not been part of Lions for four years. Tum, formed by Kadji Sport Academy, has played in Switzerland and France before moving over to Turkey. The striker has also been offered another opportunity.
Conspicuously absent on Pfisters list, is Achille Webo and young star, Nicolas Nkoulou Ndoubena, a defender currently playing for Monaco called up during the Lions last friendly game against South Africa after the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
In the 23-man squad, the coach has maintained some new names in the likes of Dorge Rostand Kouemaha of Duisburg, Germany, Alexis Ngambi of Partizan of Belgrade, Somen A Tchoyi of Red Bull Salzburg, Austria and Essamè Guy Stéphane of Trerek Grzny, Russia.
The friendly is in preparation for the joint 2010 World and African Nations Cup eliminatory which kicks off on March 28, against Togo. The Lions have been paired in a group that comprises Togo, Morocco and Gabon.
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That's is it son's , never ever think that anyone is better up to you than your selves. thanks for bnx a proud African. God bless you