This situation is a matter of great concern to the sports leaders who wish to launch an “operation changeover” with young talent shining in the world and very coveted in their present countries of residence. For example, Marvin Matip playing in Germany and Aboubakar Oumarou have been approached by China. In the same way as other African associations, Cameroon is looking after these two pearls and is currently asking FIFA to authorize a change of citizenship for Marvin Matip, who has been in practically all the national teams in Germany in the youth category. MATIP’S CASE The FECAFOOT launches the naturalization procedure Jule Nyongha, the coach of the Indomitable Lions said : “It was, first of all, a matter of ensuring the willingness of the young Matip to integrate the selection of Cameroon. During our phone call, he shared his wish to come back to his native land. Right now, it is an administrative problem. With a little goodwill this issue will be solved shortly. His destiny is not sealed. His naturalization will accelerate and we have deposited his request to the FIFA General Secretary in Zurich. FECAFOOT is hoping for a happy and quick ending of the dossier.”

Marcel Ndjeng ... meilleur passeur de la Bundesliga 2

DOUBLE NATIONALITY

Since the extraordinary Congress of FIFA held last October in Doha, Qatar, the article 15 on regulations governing the application of the statutes allows a player younger than 21 years old, having played at least one official match in a national team to opt for another national team. The applicant must not have played in an international match “A” with the association he is changing for at the moment of the request. Nonetheless the players concerned can only make one change of association. Many African players have already benefited from this new statute. For example Frédéric Kanouté, Mohamed Sissoko both have had one selection in the young French Team and have received the authorization from FIFA to play in national team of Mali. The list goes on -Algerians Anther Yahia, Abdenasser Ouadah et Samir Beloufa, as well as the Tunisian Adel Chedly. This could also be the case of Marvin Matip, in the following months or even weeks.

ABOUBAKAR OUMAROU finds “Way of the Dragon”

With his height of 1,84 m tall, Aboubakar Oumarou has quickly become one of the masterpieces of China’s first division club Changsha Ginde FC. Born on January 4, 1987, and an ex-member of the Cetef team, he has managed to find the “way of the dragon” on the soil of the giant of Asia which is trying to seduce him for the coming Olympic Games. “Abou Boban” as he is called by his Douala friends is fast and aggressive and has scored two goals and 6 key passes. Coach Ratomir Dujkovic has been seduced by the qualities of the young Cameroonian. Dujkovic, Ghana’s coach in the last World Cup and current coach of the Chinese Olympic team is ready to engage this native from northern Cameroon for the 2008 Olympic Games. The new hope of the Changsha Ginde FC is close to obtaining his Chinese passport and it seems that “Abou Boban” could make a decisive choice for his career in the near future.

Aboubacar Oumarou

Camfoot.com : Would you like to play for China ?

Aboubakar Oumarou : Even if some members of my family want me to play for China, my heart beats for Cameroon. It is my country and I don’t want to play abroad. My agent, Guy Djoukeng has advised me to play for my own country. Meanwhile I continue to make progress in my career.

Camfoot.com : How long have you been playing in China ?

Aboubakar Oumarou : I’ve been in China for the last two years. Last year I played in the second division before being recruited by Changsha Ginde FC. Before that I played with the AS Cetef in second division, on China’s coast.

Camfoot.com : Are you planning to stay in Asia ?

Aboubakar Oumarou : I’m fine here, but I think that I need to explore another high level championship. In my team I have to give the best of myself because there are not many good players. The Chinese press was quite impressed to see a young African in first division because in general they are at least 25 years old. I don’t think I belong here. I’d love to play in Europe. With players of this stature and many more coming, coaches are beginning to infuse new life to the selection and with this, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon will certainly roar over the continent and prepare themselves for the World Cup in 2010 with much more ease.

AIPS Magazine

By Stephen Sunou (Camfoot.com)