The den of the Lions of Teranga has been boiling with concern surrounding Vincent Aboubakar. Heading towards a straightforward withdrawal from the 2023 AFCON, the Cameroonian captain will have to be replaced by Rigobert Song. And while a recall of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting was expected, Kola Sport reveals another name to fill the void.
Cameroon has been navigating troubled waters for several weeks, entangled in controversies related to Rigobert Song’s squad list, causing disruptions in the preparation for the 2023 AFCON due to injuries. This Friday, the team’s captain and primary threat, Vincent Aboubakar, suffered a muscle injury during training. The circumstances surrounding this terrible injury have been revealed, marking a severe blow to the team that is about to lose its star.
Mahop in place of Vincent Aboubakar?
While awaiting an official statement from FECAFOOT after Saturday’s examinations to confirm the player’s withdrawal for the 2024 AFCON, the player expected to replace Aboubakar in the next 24 hours is highly anticipated. Despite the expectation of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s arrival, it appears that the plans are different. The Bayern Munich forward, who was among the 50 pre-selected players for the competition, remains the most suitable player to lead Cameroon’s attack in the challenging 2023 AFCON in the absence of Vincent Aboubakar.
Despite his club and international experience (73 matches, 20 goals since 2010 with the Lions), Choupo-Moting is not expected to be recalled by Rigobert Song. According to Kola Sport, the player likely to be called up by the Cameroonian coach to replace Aboubakar is Emmanuel Mahop, the Coton Sport player from Garoua. If this news is confirmed, it would still be quite audacious on Song’s part to exclude Choupo-Moting, who plays for Bayern Munich, in favor of a local league player.
Choupo-Moting more experienced than Mahop
Emmanuel Mahop, it must be said, remains a talented player. After a failed transfer to Saudi Arabia, the 29-year-old Cameroonian striker has proven himself with Coton Sport, earning him the Cameroonian Ballon d’Or in 2023, presented by the First Lady Chantal Biya and Samuel Eto’o a few weeks ago. However, Mahop falls short compared to players like Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in terms of experience and exposure in major competitions.
The Africa Cup of Nations relies mostly on top players. Already deprived of Bryan Mbeumo and now Aboubakar, who is unlikely to play for at least three months if the muscle tear in his right thigh is confirmed, Rigobert Song should no longer find reasons to overlook a player like Choupo.
Song’s previous explanations regarding Choupo-Moting
Recall, during the announcement of his 27-player squad, the former Cameroonian defender explained the absence of the former PSG player as a matter of continuity with the current team.
“Choupo Moting is a very good player. But my collaborators and I have stuck to the continuity of recent times. However, I think he is an important player, but a choice had to be made in the continuity of what we have been doing for a long time. He remains an important player, but a choice had to be made, and for now, I will go with those I have chosen,” explained Rigobert Song.
But after Régis Mughe’s about-face, rejecting the call-up for the 2024 AFCON, Song will summon another player to replace him. If Kola Sport’s information is confirmed once again, it must be said that Choupo-Moting’s absence from this 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations would not be a sporting choice but a deliberate one. The 34-year-old player’s father had also mentioned the reasons for his son’s exclusion. We will wait to see what unfolds regarding Vincent Aboubakar’s injury.
Leave a Reply to Afcon 2023: The surprising exit of Benjamin Moukandjo on CameroonCancel reply