François-Régis Mughe clarifies controversial AFCON 2023 decision
François-Régis Mughe, the 19-year-old talent from Olympique de Marseille, has finally opened up about his controversial decision to refuse a call-up for the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) with the Indomitable Lions. This move sparked widespread criticism and misunderstanding in Cameroon.
Initially, many speculated that Mughe prioritized his club career over national duty, believing he aimed to exploit his teammates’ absence to secure more playing time at OM.
Contrary to these accusations, Mughe clarified that his refusal was due to an injury, not an opportunistic career move.
“I had hamstring problems. When the AFCON list came out, I was happy.
But I called the coach to ask him if he could call on another person who deserves it because I’m not 100%,” Mughe explained in an interview with Kick Off le Mag.
“I regretted my choice because if I wasn’t injured, I would have had to leave. I preferred to take better care of myself.
But I would like to apologize for refusing an African Cup of Nations.”
Mughe’s decision was compounded by the fact that he did not gain any playing time at OM during the AFCON period.
Instead, he faced additional challenges, as the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot) reportedly blocked his participation, leading to his loan to Dunkirk at the end of the transfer window.
In his interview, Mughe also expressed his aspirations for the future, extending an olive branch to the new national team coach, Marc Brys. “All I want is to stay playing for my national team and show what I can do in my country,” he stated.
Despite being yet to earn a senior cap, Mughe’s potential had previously caught the eye of national coach Rigobert Song, following his five appearances in Ligue 1 with Marseille last season.
However, his loan spell at Dunkirk in Ligue 2 did not go as planned. Mughe struggled to make an impact, playing only five matches without any decisive contributions, contributing minimally to the club’s survival efforts.
As he returns to Marseille, Mughe faces a formidable challenge: to secure a place in the OM squad for the 2024-2025 season.
Achieving this is crucial for any future national team call-ups. Despite his limited experience at Dunkirk, Mughe remains a promising player with significant potential.
At 19, he has ample time to reinvigorate his career and prove his worth both at the club and international levels.
The coming season will be pivotal for Mughe as he strives to establish himself at Marseille and regain the confidence of Cameroonian football fans.
His journey underscores the delicate balance young players must navigate between club commitments and national team aspirations.
🔴 Régis Mughe sur sa non participation à la CAN :
« J’avais des problèmes aux ischios. Lorsque que la liste pour la CAN est sortie, j’étais content. Mais j’ai appelé le coach pour lui demander de faire appel à une autre personne qui mérite car je suis pas à 100%. J’ai regretté… pic.twitter.com/WFsnuvrMeb
— AllezLesLions (@AllezLesLions) June 4, 2024
