Cameroon Football in crisis: club’s absurd defense for Nathan Douala’s fraud scandal

The football community in Cameroon faces a significant controversy as Nathan Douala, also known as Alexandre Bardelli, finds himself embroiled in a fraudulent identity scandal. Accused of lying about his age and identity, Douala’s actions could potentially lead to Cameroon’s exclusion from future Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments. Despite the severity of the accusations, Douala’s club, Victoria United, has put forth an improbable excuse in his defense.

Douala’s fraudulent activities, which include misrepresenting his age (reportedly 23 instead of 17) and identity, have caused upheaval within the Cameroonian football landscape.

His exclusion from the Cameroonian championship playoffs has already been enforced, and if he were to participate in the AFCON 2023, Cameroon risks facing exclusion from subsequent editions.

However, in an astonishing move, Valentin Nkwain, the president of Victoria United, attempted to defend Douala by asserting an unlikely claim: “It’s not him… it’s his brother.”

According to Nkwain, the individual seen in the controversial reports is purportedly Douala’s brother, not Douala himself.

This defense, described as “absolutely improbable,” raises eyebrows and invites skepticism from football authorities and observers alike.

Nkwain’s assertion hinges on the existence of a supposed individual named Bardelli, who shares physical resemblances with Douala, including facial scars and tattoos.

However, such claims seem far-fetched and fail to withstand scrutiny, potentially exacerbating the controversy surrounding Douala’s case.

The club’s attempt to shift blame onto a fictional sibling only adds fuel to the fire, further complicating an already delicate situation.

If Bardelli’s existence is confirmed in FIFA files, it could deepen the crisis within the Cameroonian football hierarchy, particularly concerning Samuel Eto’o, the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, who has been closely associated with Victoria United.

As the investigation unfolds, Cameroon’s footballing future hangs in the balance, with the outcome of Douala’s case likely to have significant ramifications for the nation’s sporting reputation and participation in international competitions.