Alan Nyom’s poor showing:

Periodic civic education imperative for Indomitable Lions
By Che Samson, former indomitable lion and Kumbo Strikers skipper
In the late 70s and early 80s, local derbies such as Canon Vs Tonnere, Union Vs Dynamo or PWD Bamenda Vs Camark Bamenda used to bring together football enthusiasts in large numbers (from 20 to 50.000 spectators). The players were amateurs, but the quality of football they exhibited gave spectators total satisfaction. Professionalism is all about skills and (tech, tactient jorland physical) aptitude. Ndoumbe Lea Francois, Emana, Eyobo, Ewunkem, Njipe, Dr. Ekwe, Maranga or Ngoh Franklin never played football out of Cameroon, but I am of the opinion that they were true professionals in the execution of their “footbalistic” duties.
    Those who were not opportune to watch these players live were served with radio commentaries every Sunday evening, by Zachary Nkou, Peter Essoka or Abel Mbengue in the program sports and music. These players were regarded as true heroes in their local teams especially the few who were privileged to be called to the national team. Today, players, the so called professionals, reject calls to wear the green, red, yellow mythical colours of the national team. Sacrilege indeed!
   
Who is a professional?
    Since football has seized being a hoppy or part time leisure activity, many are those who will do anything humanly possible to be on the vantage end of the multibillion companies. Parents pay exorbitant tuitions to see their siblings through football academies and possibly place them in Europe and Asia where they sign juicy professional deals. The question most observers ask is whether those playing their trade in the diaspora are better than those playing the local league. Being a local players commoves nothing g from your intrinsic value as a footballer Njanka Beaka and Joseph Cyrille Ndo’s participation in Mondial 98 in France, buttress this point. Answering a call from your national team makes you a professional. The contrary makes you a football liliput and non-starter. How can Alan Nyom spit on the confidence placed on him by Volke Finke and later Alex Belinga? He abandoned colleague Lions in Belgium a forth night ago during their camping to play the eagles. He has done the same in Paris.  In both cases he left after collecting his equipment’s. I recall my first pre-selection in December 1997 under coach manga Onguene. During the first training at the Ombe Sport Complex, I developed goose pimple just putting on the training kits of the lions. Not to talk of my first official game with the lions. Greet H.E. Joachim Chisano of Mozambique before the game and the pre-match frenzy and post-match euphoria that ensued up till date is one of the most eventful days in my 44 years of existence on planet earth. I wish Zock a Koung Martin was still playing football (a team mate with Fovu FC in 2001). Coach Njonkep Bonaventure will have an idea of what I am trying to say here. Zock was such a fine right full back that could leave you non-envious of Geremi Njitap or Dani Alves. So this leads me to ask the question: Allan Nyom who?

    There has been a great show of unpatriotic behavior in the Lions den. The Matip brothers are more Germans in their culture and mannerism than Cameroonians. Gone are the days when the patriotic fibre used to bubble on to the extent of shading tears. (Kana Biyik in a Udeac Cup defeat of the Lions in Yaounde).
    Our local technicians, Belinga, Njonkep, Ntoungou, Ako, Toa and Enow Ngatchou should be given free hands to work in transparency and objectivity. Working conditions should be the same with those given to expatriates and their remuneration and bonuses should be at least 50% of what these expatriates are given.
    Pierre Ismael Bidoung Mpkatt has been around, so he can turn things around. He should work in synergy with the federation and all stakeholders to win back our lost football pedigree. The billions these young lads are making out there is getting a toll on their reasoning and their respect for elders and state institutions. You remember the famous incident in 2014 when captain Eto’o left PM Yang stranded and dumb founded with the flag at the Fandena. How can Yaya Toure and Pierre Emery Aubameyang refuse calls from the elephants and the Azingo? They conserve energy to serve Manchester City and Burrusia Dortmund forgetting that the world cup is the greatest stage where football actors showcase their prowess. Ali Bongo and Ouattara should sanction these two, after all Gen. Robert Guei detained and trashed Bakayoko Ibrahim and co for filling to win a council world cup qualifier.
    In our Cameroon level only one man can truly make things happen if the interest of the country is at stake. That person is president Biya. My advice is for football managers to introduce a code of conduct to be given to players as they come to camp. Secondly we should invest in youth football to prepare a replacement for ailing lions; construct green-turf stadia (natural or artificial). I hope president Tombi’s promise was not mere electoral slogan. Fourth and last advice is for national team players to get periodic lectures on civic education and respect for state symbols and institutions.
    May God protect and guide Cameroon and our football.