Samuel Eto’o, the head of the Cameroon FA, has informed Napoli’s president Aurelio de Laurentiis, that he is powerless to prevent players from competing in the Africa Cup of Nations.
De Laurentiis had earlier this month stated that unless African players accept a clause prohibiting them from joining up with their national teams for the AFCON competition, he will avoid signing them.
“Enough of African players, or they should give up playing in the African Cup of Nations. I won’t be buying them anymore for this reason,” De Laurentiis said.
His opinions were not well received throughout the world with many thinking the Italian undermined both the competition and African players.
Today SSC Napoli kick off their Seria A campaign.
More than 10 days ago, owner & president, Aurelio de Laurentiis made comments about not signing any African players unless they agree not to play in AFCON. Here’s a reminder what Senegal coach Aliou Cisse had to say in response. pic.twitter.com/qbjzuNHXGt— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) August 15, 2022
Eto’o has now added his voice to the issue.
“He has my player in his team Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and if Rigobert Song calls him to the national team, the Napoli president will have nothing to say,” Eto’o responded during an interview with Ghana One TV.
“It will not be possible to stop him [Anguissa]. It is only the player who can decide not to come and must give a reason.
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“Otherwise, we have the authority to call any player,” he added.
During the February 2021 AFCON in Cameroon, midfielder Anguissa and Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly, who has since transferred to Chelsea, missed six Napoli matches.
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