The recent list of players called up by David Pagou, coach of Cameroon's Indomitable Lions, for the FIFA Series tournament has caused surprise, notably due to the absence of key figures such as captain Nouhou Tolo and midfielder Carlos Baleba. During the show "Le Débrief" on Canal 2, journalist Georges Mbimbe from Radio Sport Info (RSI) offered an explanation for these noticeable absences: disciplinary issues.
Mbimbe, editor-in-chief at RSI, a radio station known to be close to the Cameroonian Football Federation, stated that his investigations revealed breaches of the rules established within the team. He mentioned habits taken by some players during the CAN, which consisted of not respecting the set time for meals, leading to internal financial penalties.
"Modestly, I tried to do my job, what I was taught. What I discovered is that when Pagou takes over the team, there are habits within the national team that no longer existed before, which he set up during the CAN," Mbimbe explained. He added that these misconducts, although taking place off the field, weighed in the coach's decision.
Mbimbe stressed that these disciplinary problems, combined with David Pagou's desire to test new players, explain the absence of Tolo and Baleba. "There are two things that explain their absence. Issues that are not purely sports-related, and the other element is that one thing leading to another, so apparently the coach said: 'well, I'm going to see other players'," he concluded.
While Carlos Baleba's absence had already raised questions, this explanation highlights the management challenges faced by David Pagou, torn between renewing the squad and maintaining discipline within the Indomitable Lions. The Indomitable Lions are scheduled to face Australia on March 27 and China on March 31 as part of the FIFA Series tournament.
