Former Cameroonian international Serge Branco has voiced his disagreement with Indomitable Lions coach David Pagou's decision to not organize a training camp for the FIFA window in June. Branco questions the basis for this decision, arguing that the majority of Cameroonian players play for clubs where they are not starters, thus making the excuse of fatigue unconvincing.
"I do not agree with coach David Pagou. When it's good, you have to say it. When it's not, you have to explain it," Branco stated. He questions the reasons that led Pagou to make this decision, highlighting the lack of clear communication on the matter. "On what basis does he say that we will not play friendly matches? What reason does he rely on to ask the federation not to schedule matches because our players are tired?".
Branco insists that many Cameroonian players are substitutes in their respective clubs and that, therefore, the argument of fatigue does not hold. He encourages young players to seek out top-level clubs where they will have more playing time and better visibility. He notes that few Cameroonian players in Europe play regularly, citing Arthur Avom at Lorient as a relative exception.
"Apart from Arthur Avom at Lorient, I don't see any Lion who has played nearly 80% of his club's matches in the first division," he asserted. He also mentioned players like Zambo Anguissa and Bryan Mbeumo, pointing out that they have not been consistent starters in their teams. Branco also criticizes the presence of players playing in lower-level leagues, such as the French Ligue 2 and the Algerian league, emphasizing that success at the international level requires players playing in the major European leagues.
According to Branco, the absence of friendly matches during the FIFA windows will negatively impact Cameroon's FIFA ranking. He warns against a potential drop of several places, thus questioning the logic behind Pagou's decision.
