Levante forward Karl Etta Eyong suffers muscle injury ahead of Cameroon AFCON qualifiers

Cameroon international Karl Etta Eyong has suffered a muscle injury that could rule him out of the Indomitable Lions’ upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches.

The Levante forward picked up the injury during a training session with his Spanish club on Friday, forcing him to miss their La Liga fixture against Málaga on Sunday, September 6.

Following the setback, the Cameroonian underwent medical examinations to determine the extent of the problem.

Levante confirmed on Monday that tests had revealed an injury to the rectus femoris muscle in Eyong’s right leg.

In a statement, the Spanish club confirmed the nature of the injury but stopped short of providing a specific timeline for the striker’s recovery.

“His return to action will depend on how his condition develops,” Levante said.

The absence of a definite recovery period means Eyong’s availability for Cameroon remains uncertain, with the striker now facing a race against time to regain fitness ahead of the upcoming international break.

The injury comes at an unfortunate moment for the 22-year-old, who had been included in Cameroon coach David Pagou’s squad for the country’s opening matches in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Cameroon are scheduled to begin their qualifying campaign against Comoros on September 24 at the Roumde Adjia Stadium before travelling to Brazzaville to face Congo on September 29.

The Indomitable Lions are also due to play a friendly against Ivory Coast on October 3 as part of their international programme.

Eyong’s potential absence would therefore represent a significant concern for Pagou, particularly with the coach preparing his team for a demanding run of fixtures.

The Levante forward has emerged as an important attacking option for Cameroon, and his pace, movement and ability to contribute in the final third could be valuable during the qualifiers.

For now, the Cameroonian technical team will have to monitor his recovery closely and wait for further updates from Levante regarding his condition.

If Eyong fails to recover in time, Pagou could be forced to make adjustments to his attacking options and potentially call upon another forward to fill the void.

The Cameroon coach will be hoping that the injury is not as serious as initially feared and that Eyong can return to training quickly.

However, with the first AFCON qualifier against Comoros approaching on September 24, every day of recovery will be important.

Eyong will also be eager to return to action for Levante as soon as possible, particularly after beginning the season with the Spanish club and looking to establish himself as an important player in La Liga.

The coming days will provide a clearer indication of the severity of the injury and whether the forward will be able to join up with the Indomitable Lions.

For Cameroon, his availability could prove crucial as they begin their journey towards qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.