Rigobert Song, the coach of the Cameroon national football team, recently revealed the preliminary list of 49 Indomitable Lions selected for the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Notably absent from the roster is Martin Hongla, the 25-year-old defensive midfielder playing for Hellas Verona in Serie A. This decision has stirred varying opinions among football enthusiasts in the country.
Hongla, who boasts 22 caps and was the best passer (3) in the last CAN held in Cameroon in 2022, responded to his exclusion during an appearance on the “Incoming Eleven” show on CFOOT.
Expressing a mix of disappointment and acceptance, he stated, “Perhaps the coach thinks that I am not up to the task. It’s a shame! It hurts but we have to live with it. That’s what sport is.”
In a more poignant revelation, Hongla touched upon the lack of support from his teammates during the time of his father’s passing.
“The national team for me is like a family. I had the death of my dad; I didn’t see anyone at the time when I needed everyone,” he lamented during the interview.
Despite delivering commendable performances with the Indomitable Lions in March during the double confrontation against Namibia (1-1, 2-1), Hongla found himself out of the squad for the upcoming AFCON 2023 in Ivory Coast. Adopting a philosophical perspective, he shared, “If today I am not summoned in relation to x or y, I take it upon myself and I accept it.”
These words reflect not only emotional resilience but also the introspection of an athlete facing the ebb and flow of selection decisions.
Although Hongla won’t be part of the team heading to the land of the Elephants, he remains a promising young player.
His commitment to maintaining high-level performances positions him as a contender for future national team call-ups.
As the AFCON 2023 approaches, Hongla’s response mirrors the resilience required in the world of sports, showcasing the mental fortitude that defines true athletes.
💬 Martin Hongla sur sa non convocation dans la liste élargie des Lions
: «Peut-être le coach se dit que je ne suis pas à la hauteur. C’est dommage ! ça fait mal mais on doit faire avec. C’est ça le sport»
[Le Onze Entrant/CFOOT] pic.twitter.com/2HiNVkTHCe
— CFOOT (@cfootcameroun) December 21, 2023
