Cameroon’s hope dashed as Hugo Ekitike rejects Indomitable Lions call-up
Former Paris Saint-Germain striker Hugo Ekitike has dealt a blow to Cameroon’s national football team by declining their invitation to join the Indomitable Lions, opting instead to pursue a future with the French team.
Ekitike’s decision was confirmed following requests from Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fécafoot), and Marc Brys, the team’s recent coach, during their outreach to international players.
Despite their efforts, Ekitike, currently on loan with Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany, where he scored over the weekend, turned down the offer.
Marc Brys, acknowledging Ekitike’s choice, emphasized the importance of respecting his decision.
The 21-year-old, born in Reims to a Cameroonian father, harbors dreams of representing the French national team, a sentiment shared by many young athletes.
The news comes as a disappointment to Cameroonian football enthusiasts, including former player Alex Song, who had hoped for Ekitike’s inclusion in the Indomitable Lions squad.
However, optimism remains, with sentiments expressed by Song’s nephew, Rigobert Song, in mid-April, highlighting the potential for emerging talents like Ekitike to contribute positively to the national team.
Vincent Aboubakar, a long-standing figure in Cameroon’s forward line, has been cited as a reference point for Ekitike’s development.
While Aboubakar’s influence is recognized, Ekitike’s decision underscores the evolving landscape of international football, where young talents like him have the freedom to choose their national allegiances based on personal aspirations and opportunities for growth.
Despite the setback, Cameroon remains poised to nurture its emerging talents and provide opportunities for players like Ekitike to flourish on the international stage.
As the footballing landscape continues to evolve, the nation remains committed to building a formidable team capable of competing at the highest levels.
🚨 Hugo Ekitike ne souhaite pas représenter le Cameroun mais bien la France en sélection nationale ! 🇫🇷
Le sélectionneur des Lions Indomptables, Marc Brys, a confirmé ce choix dans une interview accordée à @lemondefr :
« 𝗡𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗻… pic.twitter.com/UpXKjW49wS
— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) May 1, 2024
