AFCON 2015: Jacques Zoua Dropped from Cameroon Squad Over Identity Discrepancy
Cameroon striker Jacques Zoua has been excluded from the Indomitable Lions’ final 23-man squad for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations following questions raised about his identity by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Zoua’s name initially appeared in the provisional squad announced on Thursday. However, just a day later, his name was missing from CAF’s official squad list — reportedly due to an irregularity linked to conflicting birth records.
CAF is said to have detected that Zoua was registered with two different birth dates — 1989 and 1991 — across previous youth and senior competitions. The Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT), unwilling to take any risks ahead of the tournament, chose to withdraw the striker from the squad pending clarification.
The decision has opened the door for young defender Franck Bagnack, who had initially been left out of the final 23. Bagnack, who plays for FC Barcelona’s B team, has now been called up to replace Zoua.
The late change adds to ongoing tension within the Cameroonian camp, which has already been affected by a bonus row earlier in the week. Reports from Yaoundé suggest that another dispute over financial arrangements is brewing, potentially unsettling the squad just days before the tournament kicks off in Equatorial Guinea on 17 January.
Cameroon will face Ivory Coast, Mali and Guinea in Group D — one of the toughest pools of the competition.
CAF has yet to issue an official statement on the matter, but the Cameroonian federation is believed to be cooperating fully with the governing body.
