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Match - Sat 8 September, 19:00,
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Eto'o row overshadows Indomitable Lions trip
Samuel Eto'o, Cameroon
The four-time African Footballer of the Year is a notable absentee as he continues his protest against the running of football in Cameroon, which he describes as amateurish.
It is almost a year since Eto’o last played for the Indomitable Lions, whose reputation is on the wane and could find themselves victims of a major upset and face the possibility of missing out on a second successive Nations Cup tournament.
Eto’o led a player revolt last November and was suspended for eight months. But the suspension ended last month, he was recalled to the squad only to use to play. Teammate Jean Makoun, who recently joined Stade Rennes on loan from Aston Villa, has joined him in the boycott action, as Cameroon prepare in nearby Dakar.
Cameroon’s captaincy has been taken over by Marseille defender Nicholas Nkoulou.
The home side, nicknamed Tubaroes Azul (Blue Sharks), have named a 21-man squad with Ronaldo, Valter Borges and the Dutch-based midfielder Guy Ramos returning to the line-up. Goalkeeper Ernesto however has retired and both Lito and Roni have been dropped by coach Lucio Antunes.
The match is being played on the artificial surface at the Estadio Varzela.
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