Samuel Eto’o refuses to play for Cameroon

Eto’o has refused to join the Cameroon team and protested against ‘amateurish and poorly organized’ setup.

After eight-month international ban the 31-year striker was expected to play in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, when Cameroon face Cape Verde on 8 September.

Eight month earlier he was suspended for taking part in a player strike over unpaid bonuses and the Cameroon national team refused to go to Algeria for a friendly match.

Eto’o wrote a letter to the Cameroon Football Federation, which he published on his website.

‘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 a captain have not been solved.

‘Our national team continues to dwell in an environment characterized by amateurism and poor organization not compatible with professional sports.

‘I doubt if Indomitable Lions fans will understand my move which is aimed at drawing attention on the necessity to have a more professional management of this team.’

Eto’o earned 109 caps and scored 54 goals for Cameroon and he was named the African Footballer of the Year for four times. Samuel Eto’o is a former player of Inter Milan and Barcelona and currently he plays for a Russian side Anzhi Mahachkala.