Veteran Cameroon striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting risks missing next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after reportedly losing favour with head coach Rigobert Song.
With Cameroon set to finalise their AFCON squad imminently, news has emerged that experienced Bayern Munich forward Choupo-Moting may become a high-profile omission.
Song is said to be deeply dissatisfied over the 33-year-old prioritising club over country this season, having withdrawn from October and November national squad meet-ups citing injury.
Song interpreted Choupo-Moting’s decision to instead feature for Bayern during the same periods as the centre-forward placing his German employers first.
This purportedly angered the legendary former Cameroon defender, whose lengthy playing career brought him similar club versus country dilemmas.
Now determined to showcase Cameroon’s young striking options like Faris Pembele and Leonel Meta at AFCON 2023, Song seems willing to sacrifice Choupo-Moting’s pedigree.
Appointed last February, Song aims to guide the Indomitable Lions to a sixth continental crown after a series of near misses since last lifting the trophy in 2017.
But with AFCON’s timing midway through European league seasons always problematic, Cameroon risk diminishing their trophy chances without experienced attackers like Choupo-Moting.
Although the finalised AFCON squad is yet to be officially confirmed, Choupo-Moting’s absence would raise concerns over Cameroon’s goal threat.
Having impressed recently for Bayern, his know-how seemed a valuable asset Song now considers surplus to AFCON requirements.
