By David Gold
August 29 – Samuel Eto’o, arguably Africa’s greatest football export, has hit out at Cameroon’s “amateurism” and “bad management”, and insisted he will not return to play for the national team.
The striker, who plays for Anzhi Makhachkala in Russia, was called up for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Cape Verde next month.
Eto’o (pictured above) was suspended eight months ago by Cameroon for leading a strike over unpaid bonuses, which led to the cancellation of a friendly game.
But the presence of the former Barcelona and Inter Milan star would have been a huge boost for Cameroon, which is looking to make up for the disappointment of failing to qualify for this year’s African Nations Cup in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
In a letter to Cameroon Football Association President Mohammed Iya, published on his website, Eto’o said: “I regret to inform you I’ve decided not to participate in any game with the national team since the flaws I kept denouncing as captain have not been solved.
“The national team environment is still made up of amateurism and bad management which do not suit the requirements for high-level sport.”
The 31-year-old, who has made over 100 appearances for his country, has won the African Footballer of the Year award four times and the Champions League on three occasions.
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