Vox Pop. Is Coach right to include Eto’o Fils in team after he reportedly retired?

Following the September 8 world cup qualifier decided against Libya in Yaounde, Lions team captain Samuel Eto’o Fils reportedly told his team mates he had retired from international football.

He never made the decision public and this is not the first time Eto’o who until recently was the highest paid attacker on earth, has threatened to leave the team. He is very unhappy with the amateurish and corrupt way football is managed in Cameroon.

So we asked Lions supporters around the globe what they thought about the decision of head coach Volker Finke to recall Eto’o Fils in his 25-man squad that will play against the Tunisian national team for the last round qualifying matches for the world cup in Brazil next year.

Shu Christopehr Ambe. Journalist, Buea – Cameroon

The fact that he reportedly made his resignation known only to his team mates in private and not to the general public means his alleged resignation could be revisited. It appears as if it was out of emotions and not well-thought out. Since he has been recalled, it is good for the national team. But I have always held that no one man is very indispensable in a team. If he went for good, his departure would create room for the emergence of another Eto’o Fils,

Christopher Ambe

Nga Tomas Pagal, Birmingham – UK

Officially, Eto’o Fils did not resign from the national team. That was pure and simple rumour. In Cameroon, things can only be taken seriously when they are made official. That means Eto’o Fils will always be a part of the Lions except the national coach thinks otherwise.

The Brazil world cup (If Cameroon qualifies) will be the last world cup Eto’o will ever play for because at 32, he is no spring chicken. I dont think any player will delibrately refuse to take part in the greatest sporting festival on earth. Eto’o needs Cameroon to take part and the team needs his services, so it is a win-win situation.

Nga Tomas Pagal

Gordon Hurd, Liverpool – UK

I believe his return is a sign of patriotism. In the past, we saw Roger Milla return to the squad, albeit under different circumstances, with spectacular results. Eto’o will doubtless add value to the national team and Cameroon is only the better for it.

Gordon Hurd

Cynthia Akwen

I think it is all very confusing.  Something is not right about Cameroonian football and I really don’t like talking about it because there is too much corruption in Cameroon football.

Honore Fon aka Jamm. Bamenda, Cameroon

First, I must admit that Eto’o is still Cameroon’s best centre forward. – So what? So Volke Finker should not do his job because Eto’o Fils is the best attacker? So his messing up friends, Webo and Kameni should be put to play a critical match because he is the best attacker? This is real nonsense.

I am still an Eto’o fan, but when it comes to the national team, I want him OUT! I watched the Cameroon Libya match evolve after Eto’o left the pitch and I saw a Cameroonian attack that could presently do very well without their emotionally reckless captain Eto’o. We have Chuopo Moting, Dongou, Zoua and Olinga. They are good. They should be given their chance like Eto’o had his when he was younger.

Technically, Eto’o is one of the reasons we are not winning strategic, delicate and decisive matches. The match tends to revolve so much around him and his play style and plan that our opponents can always predict us and block our play. A Cameroonian attack without Eto’o would get our opponents clueless and it would be full of surprises – with less drama.

Every team has problems, but we know an immature captain from the approach he takes in handling such problems. Fighting against his team mates and imposing on the coach does not have to be one of Eto’o’s tactics to ensure transparency in MINSEP and FECAFOOT. The Lions had worse problems in 1990 but under a seasoned captain like Tataw Stephen, the team went to a place where an immature captain like Eto’o wouldn’t take them.

Eto’o, as a Cameroonian, I would cheer you to score more goals in Chelsea, but I think our Lions would be better off without you right now. For all you have done, thanks and goodbye.

Honore Fon aka Jaam