Cameroon (National Football)

Cameroon manager Clarence Seedorf has snubbed captain Benjamin Moukandjo and forward Christian Bassogog from his squad because they play their football in China, telling reporters he won't call up players who have moved out to the Far East. 

As reported by BBC Sport's Njie Enow, the Dutchman said he will make exceptions for players plying their trade in the Middle East, but the Chinese league is off-limits:

"Good young players don't compete in China or in Asia.

"Players must understand that if they go after more lucrative contracts, then they forfeit their chances of playing in the national team.

"But we're not closing the door on anyone, we want disciplined and hardworking players and if someone is in the Middle East yet he can deliver for the team, we'll bring him in.

"The best players want to play for the best clubs in Europe and appear in top competitions like the Champions league."

Per Enow, both Moukandjo and Bassogog played key roles in the Indomitable Lions' run to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations title, the nation's first since 2002. 

Belgian manager Hugo Broos was in charge of that triumphant run, but the team failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and added controversy eventually led to his departure, per BBC Sport. 

Seedorf took the job this summer after a failed stint with Deportivo La Coruna that lasted just a few months. He made his managerial debut at AC Milan, where he was sacked in 2014, before moving to China to take control of Shenzen FC. 

He received plenty of criticism for his comments, including from sportswriter Salim Masoud Said and player representative Christopher Atkins:

For a 'young manager' who went to China for the money to say this is nonsense. Needs to stop getting above himself and realise he has a reputation to salvage. To then say he'll pick from Middle East (I assume because of Eto'o) is also highly contradictory

— Christopher Atkins (@ChrisAtkins_) August 21, 2018

He also surprisingly called up Paul-Georges Ntep, the Wolfsburg forward who was born in Cameroon but has played for various French youth teams and has two appearances for the senior side under his belt. As these were only friendlies, he's still eligible to switch to Cameroon.

Cameroon will play their first AFCON qualifier against Coromos on September 7. They'll also take on Morocco and Malawi in Group B of qualifying. As hosts of the 2019 tournament, they have already qualified.

Liverpool defender Joel Matip may regret missing out on Cameroon's Africa Cup of Nations triumph, coach Hugo Broos has said.

Cameroon beat Egypt 2-1 in Libreville, Gabon, on Sunday thanks to a winner from Vincent Aboubakar, but Matip—a leading name in African football—was one of nine players to snub the opportunity to represent the Indomitable Lions before the tournament began.

Per Jonny Singer of MailOnline, Broos said: "There was a lot of trouble before, players who wouldn't come with us. OK, it's their decision. But maybe they are saying now to themselves, 'S--t! Why didn't I go with them?'"  

Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny put Egypt into a first-half lead before Cameroon struck back through Nicolas N'Koulou's header. Aboubakar volleyed home the winner in the 88th minute.

Matip was not included in the final Cameroon squad for the tournament and has not featured for the Indomitable Lions since September 2015.

Per Paul Wilson of the Guardian, as far as Liverpool were concerned, Matip had retired from international duty when boss Jurgen Klopp signed him from Schalke last summer. 

And as noted by Dan Matthews of the Liverpool Echo, the 25-year-old revealed he was keen to devote his time to his club side. Matip said: "It's not an easy decision, but I want to concentrate on Liverpool. I want to be here. I want to focus on Liverpool and that's what I had to decide. I think I took the right decision."

Cameroon became champions of Africa for a fifth time:

For the fifth time, Cameroon are kings of Africa

🏆🇨🇲👑 pic.twitter.com/S0wZvvVsK5

— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 6, 2017

However, Broos' comments followed those of former Liverpool and Senegal striker El Hadji Diouf, who said he "didn't understand people turning down their country," per the BBC World Service.

Diouf added: "Definitely they'll regret not playing in the Cup of Nations. After your career, what are you going to do? Stay living in Europe? To do what?"

Despite being available to play following an ankle injury, Liverpool had to withdraw Matip from the squad to face Manchester United on Jan. 15, after failing to gain clearance from FIFA over his eligibility, per the Guardian.

Matip has since been back in the Liverpool side for their last two matches, a return that has no doubt been a boost to the club. But the centre-back has been unable to halt the team's slump, and the Reds remain without a Premier League victory in 2017.

Before his injury, the centre-back was enjoying a burgeoning partnership alongside Dejan Lovren, and the pair looked increasingly settled—no mean feat considering the continued debate over the goalkeeping position at Anfield this season.

A composed, versatile defender with a good turn of speed, Matip has a strong understanding of the game and fine aerial ability.

Klopp will be hoping Matip can return to full match fitness soon, as it is likely to be Liverpool's defensive organisation that will prove key to whether they can remain in the challenge for the top spots in the league during the season run-in.

Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui scored deep in the second half and Christian Bassogog netted in an injury-time counter-attack to book Cameroon's place opposite Egypt in Sunday's Africa Cup of Nations final at the expense of Ghana.

The Indomitable Lions had the better of the intense early exchanges, and Adolphe Teikeu saw his header cleared off the line well by Harrison Afful after Bassogog had won a corner.

Another chance came for Cameroon soon after, though Black Stars goalkeeper Brimah Razak made a smart reaction save to deny Robert Ndip Tambe as he sought to convert Benjamin Moukandjo's cross from close range.

The Daily Mail's Jonny Singer remarked on Cameroon's excellent start to the match:

Cameroon have shown more intent in first 14 mins than at any point in first 90 against Senegal. Brilliant start.

— Jonny Singer (@Jonny_Singer) February 2, 2017

Cameroon continued to have plenty of joy down the right-hand flank, with Ghana left-back Frank Acheampong struggling to contain them.

African sports journalist Gary Al-Smith and Reuters' Ed Dove disagreed on the RSC Anderlecht star:

Cameroon exploiting the left side of Ghana's defense - Frank Acheampong the weak link. #AFCON2017 #Joyafcon

— Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) February 2, 2017

Easy to identify Acheampong as weak link, don't buy it personally. Played here a lot before (at club), clever guy, pace to burn. Class act.

— Ed Dove (@EddyDove) February 2, 2017

Ghana grew into the match as the half wore on, though, and they regained a measure of control in midfield as they slowed the tempo.

Chances were still at a premium for the Black Stars, with Mubarak Wakaso resorting to an ambitious 40-yard effort that he scuffed wide. Their best opportunity of the half fell to Jordan Ayew after Christian Atsu picked him out on the right with a sublime pass, but the forward fired his shot wide from a tight angle.

Ghana's control of the ball continued into the second period, with Acheampong and Ayew causing problems with some teasing deliveries, while Fabrice Ondoa had to palm away a whipped free-kick from Wakaso.

Cameroon took the lead in the 72nd minute somewhat against the run of play when Wakaso handed them a free-kick with a robust challenge on Tambe. Razak flapped at the delivery, which fell to Ngadeu-Ngadjui at the back post, with the defender controlling it well before firing home from a tight angle.

As the Black Stars pushed forward in the later stages, they left themselves open at the back—after almost sealing the win through substitute Vincent Aboubakar, Cameroon had their second goal when he and Bassogog broke, with the Aalborg BK man finishing past Razak.

Cameroon have defied the odds thus far at the tournament, but if they're as solid defensively and positive going forward as they were on Thursday, they may do the same in the final against Egypt.

Meanwhile, Ghana will take on Burkina Faso in Saturday's third-place play-off.

    

Post-Match Reaction

Per BBC Sport's Oluwashina Okeleji, Cameroon boss Hugo Broos hailed the unity within his team:

Cameroon coach Hugo Broos: "I have been a coach for a long time. This is a group of dedicated 23 players. I have 23 friends playing for me."

— Oluwashina Okeleji (@oluwashina) February 2, 2017

Meanwhile, according to journalist Deji Kofi Faremi, Ghana manager Avram Grant believed the absences of key players to be the factor behind their defeat: "The future isn't important now. What's important is we've lost. Difficult to cope without Baba Rahman and [Asamoah] Gyan."

Former Liverpool defender Rigobert Song has been hospitalised in his home country of Cameroon after suffering a stroke on Sunday that has left him in critical condition and "fighting for his life."

That's according to Joe Rimmer of the Liverpool Echo, who reported the 40-year-old had a brain aneurysm.

L'Equipe (h/t Ian Holyman of ESPN FC) added that he "fell ill at his home in the Cameroonian capital Yaounde" and was subsequently taken to hospital. On Tuesday, he came out of his coma and will be flying to France to be transferred for more treatment, via BBC Sport.

Song played 35 times for the Reds and had 137 caps for his country—with whom he won Olympic gold and appeared at four World Cups—during his playing career.

A number of former players and Liverpool team-mates, including the likes of Robbie Fowler, Jamie Carragher and Patrik Berger, sent messages of support:

https://twitter.com/Robbie9Fowler/status/782696195139436545

Hope everything ends up ok for #rigobertsong

— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) October 2, 2016

Just got the news that Rigobert Song is fighting for his life after having a stroke...get well soon buddy #YNWA

— Patrik Berger (@patrikberger73) October 3, 2016

https://twitter.com/77thomo/status/782847264649805824

Hope Rigobert Song recovers quickly. Peace and love to his family.

🇨🇲🇨🇲🇨🇲🇨🇲🇨🇲🇨🇲 #YNWA

— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) October 2, 2016

So too did compatriot and former international team-mate Samuel Eto'o, who, according to Holyman, wrote on Twitter: "I wish you a lot of courage and to get well soon, big bro."

Liverpool and Galatasaray, another of his former clubs, also sent well wishes:

Our thoughts are with Rigobert Song and his family at this time. pic.twitter.com/wIzoxrg8U3

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 3, 2016

We want to send our prayers and good wishes to Rigobert Song who is currently in intensive care. Our hearts are with you, lion! pic.twitter.com/QTAdYgP9gp

— Galatasaray EN (@Galatasaray) October 2, 2016

Song is the uncle of Rubin Kazan's Alex Song, formerly of Arsenal and Barcelona.

After leaving Liverpool, the former Metz defender went on to have spells with the likes of West Ham United, Lens and Galatasaray before hanging up his boots with Trabzonspor in 2010. Song has been head coach of Chad's national team since last year.

Emergency doctor Elena Duta has been charged with manslaughter by Romanian officials in the death of former Cameroon and Dinamo Bucharest midfielder Patrick Ekeng, according to the BBC.

Ekeng collapsed during a league match for Romania's Dinamo Bucharest in May and ultimately died of heart failure. The Romanian public prosecutor has maintained that Duta did nothing to resuscitate the player in the ambulance ride between the stadium and the hospital.

While an autopsy did show that Ekeng had been suffering from several heart problems at the time, the prosecutor did not allow that as an excuse, noting: "Even if among Ekeng's causes of death were the cardiac problems he suffered from, by her unjustified inaction, Duta removed any chance of survival. She did not evaluate the footballer's state of health and made no attempt at resuscitation."

Per the BBC's report, the prosecutor's office revealed statistics suggesting that "95 per cent of people with similar heart problems survive cardiac arrest if defibrillation is administered within 60 seconds" and that the chances of survival diminish by 5.5 per cent for every minute that defibrillation isn't administered.

Ekeng was pronounced dead in the hospital two hours after he collapsed on the pitch.

After Ekeng's death, FIFA's chief medical officer, Jiri Dvorak, called for more precautionary measures at football stadiums.

"At professional football matches, there should be an automatic external defibrillator (AED) on the sidelines and staff adequately trained to use it," he told Piers Edwards of BBC Sport in May. "I will pass this on to the [FIFA] Council for a strategic decision so that we can implement it within our member associations."

Ekeng made two appearances for the Cameroon national team, both at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. He appeared professionally for Le Mans (France), Rodez (France), Lausanne-Sport (Switzerland), Cordoba (Spain) and Dinamo Bucharest.

As is increasingly the case ahead of a major international tournament, African national team’s squad announcements are accompanied by player retirements.

Ahead of the 2013 Cup of Nations, Ghana’s Ayew brothers, Andre and Jordan, called time on their Black Stars careers after being ignored by Kwesi Appiah. Before the 2014 World Cup, Seydou Doumbia of the Ivory Coast decided to withdraw himself from international selection after being overlooked by Sabri Lamouchi.

And now, on the eve of the 2015 Afcon, Alex Song has decided to reveal he is no longer an option for Cameroon.

Song’s decision comes in the context of a “will he, won’t he?” saga ahead of Volker Finke’s squad announcement.

The Barcelona man was dropped and disgraced by the Central Africans after his showing at the World Cup, when he was sent off against Croatia for levelling Mario Mandzukic with an elbow to the head. He played no part in the Afcon qualification campaign as the Indomitable Lions secured a spot at the continental high table without breaking a sweat.

However, Song’s fine performances since returning to the Premier League on loan at West Ham United have led to questions about whether he deserved a recall to the national side.

James Ezimoha, for example, writing for Africa Football Shop, had the following to say: “I was looking forward to Cameroon’s team list for the next batch of Nations Cup qualifiers, hoping that Song would finally make a return for the Indomitable Lion, but, no, he was snubbed again by Finke.”

Finke resisted the temptation to bring Song back into the fold during the qualifiers, but with the Cup of Nations looming, would he turn to the ex-Arsenal midfielder?

A supposed injury to Stephane Mbia, via Mohamad Mosselhi of Ahram Online, accompanied media speculation, according to Sam Cunningham with the Daily Mail, that he would be returning in time for the trip to Equatorial Guinea. Rory Smith of The Times, for example, commented it was “pretty clear if Mbia is fit, Song doesn’t go.”

@EddyDove @Sam_Crock Not sure it counts as a "narrative." Don't claim to be an expert but pretty clear if Mbia is fit, Song doesn't go.

— Rory Smith (@RorySmith) January 6, 2015

It’s easy to see why Smith (and others) would arrive at this conclusion, and would expect an injury to Mbia to lead to a Song recall.

The ex-Queens Park Rangers man often operates as a central midfielder at club level, playing a not-too-dissimilar role to the one Song plays for the Hammers. Were he to miss out while operating in this guise, then Song would be a feasible stand-in.

However, during the qualifiers, Mbia featured exclusively as a defender for Cameroon. He started at right-back for the first three matches, and in centre-back (alongside Nicolas N’koulou) for the last three.

Had he been out of the Afcon (as it stands, Mbia will travel with the Indomitable Lions) then the likes of Frank Bagnack, Aurelien Chedjou or Jerome Guihoata would have been his natural replacements.

Yesterday, having not been invited to the squad, Song announced his retirement from international football.

Writing on his Instagram account, the midfielder had the following to say:

Since the World Cup in the summer and my subsequent exclusion from the Cameroon squad for the African Cup of Nations I have taken the decision to retire from International football. It is true that there were some discussions of late to include me in the squad for this tournament but I feel after a lot of careful thought and numerous discussions with my family this is the right decision.

My love for my country will never change but I want to take time to focus purely on domestic football and start to rebuild my career at West Ham United. I wish Cameroon all the best and the team will always be in my heart.

Soon after Song’s announcement, John Bennett of BBC Sport commented on Twitter that Song’s retirement was “not a blow for Cameroon.”

Song's retirement not a blow for #Cameroon: 1/ Coach didn't want/select him in squad anyway 2/ team spirit stronger than it's been for years

— John Bennett (@JohnBennettBBC) January 6, 2015

I completely agree with Bennett’s reasoning here, particularly point two.

During qualification, Cameroon topped a potentially taxing group quite comfortably.They were magnificent as they dissected the Ivory Coast in Yaounde and, unlike at the World Cup, they demonstrated mettle in defence. No side conceded fewer goals than Finke’s Lions during the qualification programme.

It’s true team spirit has been a problem in the past; back in 2006, president Paul Biya called on national legend Roger Milla to lift the mood of the camp ahead of the Afcon, while ex-South Africa defender Matthew Booth criticised the Cameroonians’ attitude after the 2014 World Cup.

Since Finke axed the divisive influences—the likes of Samuel Eto’o and Benoit Assou-Ekotto, as well as Song—the team have looked united and have appeared to be playing for one another, and for the boss.

It’s true a recall for Song would have threatened that newfound harmony and, ultimately, might just have been a risk too big to take.

However, while there are certain tangible benefits to Song’s absence, there must also be some concern for the omission of a player who provides the kind of quality few other African players can.

Without him, Finke has been left with five central midfield options: Eyong Enoh, Franck Kom, Raoul Loe, Georges Mandjeck and Patrick Ekeng. All are passable, competent players, but none can provide the kind of class Song can—none possess his vision nor his touch—and none can compare with his experience.

Song is a higher calibre of midfielder than the other five, and without him the centre of Cameroon’s 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 formation risks being full of endeavour and effort but low on vision and genuine quality.

"A great team is stronger than great players," or so the argument goes, but Cameroon’s inability to get the best out of Song in the short-term means their side will be weaker for his absence.

Song is not some wild-card player who cannot be tamed—just look at how driven and committed West Ham look this season with him in their ranks (via Song himself)—and Finke’s inability to control or reform the player must represent, to some degree at least, a failure on the part of the coach.

If Cameroon find themselves struggling to break down stubborn opposition in a tense knockout game, for example, perhaps the German boss will rue not having a competitor with Song’s dynamism to call upon.

Finally, if this does prove to be the end of Song’s international career, then his will be remembered as being unfulfilled—certainly within the contest of the national side.

An argument can be made that the 27-year-old is the best central midfielder of the post-Michael Essien, Seydou Keita and Yaya Toure generation.

Key competition comes in the form of Kwadwo Asamoah, but the Juventus man has spent large portions of his career playing at left-back or at left-wing back. John Obi Mikel is another contender, but increasingly the Nigeria talisman is spending his best years on Chelsea’s substitutes bench.

Song came third in the CAF African Footballer of the Year vote in 2012 and once prompted Barcelona to separate with £15 million in order to bring him to Catalonia.

For his international career to end at 27, when he still potentially has his prime ahead of him, is a travesty and something Cameroon will come to regret.

The Douala-born star, had he brought his best to the international arena, might have been the fulcrum of the side for at least another two Cup of Nations tournaments and the 2018 World Cup. Instead, it looks as though that well-placed elbow in Manaus may prove to be his lasting legacy.

As the sun continues to rise on this new dawn for the Cameroon national team, confidence is emanating from every player in the side, none more so than Eric Choupo-Moting.

With African Cup of Nations 2015 on the horizon, they will be looking to put their recent struggles at major tournaments to bed, with the ousting of some key players creating the belief that they may be able to go far.

New players are stepping up to fill the void, taking on a fresh responsibility and doing credit to the reputation the country holds as a footballing force, with no one more important to this grand plan than the Schalke forward. 

For Cameroon, this is an era of putting the past behind them. This team is post-World Cup, after their absolutely abysmal showing in Brazil, with manager Volker Finke changing things liberally on the personnel front. Most importantly, however, this is the post-Eto'o era.

The ridding of their all-time top scorer and captain from the squad was a big step by Finke. Holding massive currency in terms of what he represented—not just to Cameroon, but to the whole of African football—the gamble has very much paid off.

With the shackles of such an ego removed, it has allowed the Indomitable Lions to roam free, and Choupo-Moting has stepped up to thrive in the void of responsibility in the team. 

Without the various dressing-room shenanigans and constant need for attention that Eto'o craved, Cameroon have become a new team. No longer the misfiring group of individuals that blended together so rarely, the stripped-out version is now paying dividends in terms of results, even if the "on paper" squad is not quite as strong. 

Only dropping four points and remaining unbeaten, Cameroon overcame a strong group, containing Ivory Coast, DR Congo and Sierra Leone, to advance to AFCON 2015 with flying colours.

Demonstrating remarkable competence at both ends of the pitch, scoring nine and conceding one in six games, it is little wonder why people are predicting great success for this side in Equatorial Guinea.

How Finke has managed the names in the side is smart. Bringing in a number of new, young faces, such as Barcelona 'B' goalkeeper Joseph Ondoa and Lyon forward Clinton N'Jie, he has also given responsibility to members of the existing setup as well.

Stephane Mbia was promoted to captain and has proved a fantastic asset both in midfield and defence, and the striking pair of Vincent Aboubakar and Eric Choupo-Moting were promoted as the vice-captains. 

Whilst it might be possible to say Mbia and Aboubakar are more important to their side's chances than Choupo-Moting, with Mbia excelling under the captaincy and Aboubakar hitting four goals during qualification, Choupo-Moting brings a number of qualities to the team that his counterparts do not.

Firstly, there is the excellent form he is in domestically. Having hit 10 goals in all competitions this season, his summer move from Mainz to Schalke has truly brought out the best in the forward, becoming a consistent star among the chaos at the Bundesliga club. ESPN FC's Stefan Uersfeld had nothing but praise for the new man at the Veltins-Arena:

With just over a third of the season played, it is safe to say that the signing of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has been more than just decent business for Schalke 04. Whereas strike partner Huntelaar rules the box, Choupo-Moting can be found outside, working the wings and going the extra mile.

Overshadowed by the magnificent Aboubakar and N'Jie in qualifying, Choupo-Moting did not manage to recreate his Schalke form for Cameroon, failing to get on the scoresheet in the six games.

However, having scored 12 goals in 34 games, the 25-year-old holds a decent scoring record for his country, and will no doubt be able to fill in should the younger members of the team be overwhelmed by the occasion in Equatorial Guinea. 

The role he plays for Cameroon, too, is important to bare in mind, and is absolutely vital to their success. Whilst a central berth alongside Klaas-Jan Huntelaar at the focal point of the attack is normal when playing for his club, Choupo-Moting occupies a role on the wing of a front three for his country, contributing to defensive duties more than he would otherwise.

A superb work rate and Cameroon's attempts to counter their opposition mean that Choupo-Moting has to put in a shift in terms of defensive work, helping reclaim the ball before using his pace to break forward with haste.

Self-sacrifice is a key component that comes with leadership, and his willingness to play this vital role for his team is a highly admirable one.

Born to a German mother and a Cameroonian father, Choupo-Moting admitted in an interview with FIFA that he feels just as German as he does Cameroonian, but the fact he puts in such a shift for his national team is testament to what a professional he is.

Even from the striker position for Schalke, he still attempts 2.8 tackles per game on average according to WhoScored, showing the strong defensive contribution he makes.

The importance of Eric Choupo-Moting to this team cannot be underestimated, and if he can combine his superb domestic form and all-round team ethic, he will undoubtedly be a key player for Cameroon at the African Cup of Nations. They will need him to be on top of his game, if any success is to come their way. 

It feels like a case of one step forward, two steps back for African football.

No sooner had Algeria bowed out after a gallant, at times dazzling effort against Germany in their first-ever World Cup knockout match, than the headlines had taken their lustre away.

The latest news continues a trend. Almost all of Africa's notable achievements this summer have been overshadowed by controversy and anguish. Asamoah Gyan breaks Roger Milla's long-standing record as Africa's top scorer in the World Cup, days later Ghana implode. Nigeria return to the World Cup knockout stages for the first time in 16 years, soon after the Super Eagles refuse to train following a bonus row.

As reported by the BBC, Cameroon officials are set to investigate claims made that seven of their squad were involved in match-fixing at the World Cup.

The accusations have been made in Der Spiegel by a convicted match-fixer from Singapore, Wilson Raj Perumal.

Perumal is reported to have “correctly forecast the result with Croatia and that a player would be sent off.”

Responding to allegations, a statement from Cameroon’s FA read:

Recent allegations of fraud around Cameroon's 2014 FIFA World Cup three preliminary games, especially Cameroon versus Croatia, as well of the 'existence of seven bad apples [in our national team]' do not reflect the values and principles promoted by our administration, in line with FIFA's code of conduct and the ethics of our nation.

We are strongly committed to employ all means necessary to resolve this disruptive matter in the shortest delays.

While it is important to note that the allegations have only just been made, and are yet to be proved true or otherwise, the incident threatens to be the greatest shame to have hit the African game.

There have been a few.

Cameroon themselves are only just coming off the back of a dreadful World Cup campaign. The Indomitable Lions imploded in Brazil and their campaign, which was marred by seemingly bizarre decision-making from several parties, reflected badly on players, management and officials.

Their tournament build-up was affected by another dispute over bonuses, as the Cameroonian players refused to board their plane to Brazil until the disagreement had been solved.

Following the wretched preparations, Cameroon’s on-field performance failed to get off the ground. They were eliminated after just two games, suffered three defeats and conceded nine goals. Their dismal defensive record made a mockery of pre-tournament suggestions that they had some of the most resolute stoppers in the tournament.

The nadir was the 4-0 defeat at the hands of Croatia. Not only were Cameroon hammered in a match that could have put their campaign back on track, but they lost any semblance of discipline; Alex Song was red-carded for inexplicably throwing an elbow at the back of Mario Mandzukic’s head while Benoit Assou-Ekotto later head-butted his own team-mate, forward Benjamin Moukandjo.

Perumal’s revelations shed a much more sinister light on the near-farcical events in Manaus.

Even with Cameroon sent packing, Africa’s World Cup shame didn’t end.

Ghana were next to implode.

In the space of a tumultuous few days, the Black Stars threatened to boycott their final group match with Portugal should they not receive their bonuses, while two squad members, Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng were sent away from the camp.

Ghana eventually played. A conversation between Asamoah Gyan and national president John Dramani Mahama, confirmed by Ed Aarons of the Guardian, led to a chartered plane being flown to Brazil, complete with the team’s $3 million.

It was not enough to save face.

Muntari and Boateng destroyed the last vestiges of Ghanaian credibility with a series of controversial off-field events. The former was sent home for “an unprovoked physical attack” while the latter joined him after making “vulgar verbal insults” towards Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah [via The Guardian].

John Boye provided, perhaps, regrettably, unknowingly the definitive image of Africa’s 2014 World Cup campaign when he was pictured pushing a fistful of dollars, his summer bonus, to his lips in a pseudo-righteous kiss.

Hours later, Boye completed a hapless evening by slicing the ball into his own net to give Portugal the lead in Ghana’s final group stage game.

At that point, Nigeria had risen above the misdemeanours of their regional counterparts. Mercifully, there had been no rerun of the 2013 Confederations Cup build-up, when Nigeria threatened to boycott the tournament after a row over bonuses.

It didn’t last.

Ahead of their last 16 match with France, the Super Eagles were again involved in a bonus row. The players boycotted their Thursday training, prompting Goodluck Jonathan, the Nigerian president, to personally guarantee that the players would receive the monies due.

It is important to clarify a few important things before passing judgement on the incidents that have affected African teams this summer.

First of all, this is nothing new. Teams have faced issues of bonuses and of payment in the past, but largely, certainly in the case of Ghana, they have been kept in-house and not exploded in such a public fashion.

One exception, of course, was Togo, ahead of the 2006 World Cup. On the eve of the Sparrow Hawks’ first-ever appearance at the high table, the national team refused to play unless they received considerable bonuses.

Rock Gnassingbe, the president of the Togolese FA, revealed that the players demanded £100,000 to compete in the tournament. "These amounts are too high for the country's financial standing,” revealed Gnassingbe, as reported by the BBC. 

Eventually, the West Africans did compete, but disagreements flared once again after the tournament as the federation, responding to the team’s winless, pointless performance refused to meet the players’ demands.

Animosity between the team and the federation has lingered ever since.

Secondly, match-fixing is not a purely African problem. It is an issue that wraps its insidious tentacles across the world and manifests as far afield as Australia, and in major footballing heartlands such as England and Italy.

Finally, before trotting out the “greedy African players” line that many might turn to, it is important to acknowledge the context, the corruption, the history of logistical complications and the political influences that riddle so many of the continent’s football associations.

Largely, these considerations have meant that fans have sided with the players, or at least had sympathy with their dissatisfactions.

There will be little sympathy, however, should the “bad apples” in the Cameroonian camp be exposed for cheating and lining their pockets on the grandest stage of all.