Cameroon Manager Declares Hugo Ekitiké Unworthy of National Team Spot After France Omission
Cameroon national team manager Marc brys has emphatically ruled out the possibility of calling up Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitiké, stating the player “doesn’t deserve to come here.” The decision comes after Ekitiké was again overlooked for selection by France manager Didier Deschamps for upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Ekitiké, born to a Cameroonian father and French mother, had been eligible to represent both nations.Though, Brys expressed frustration that Ekitiké prioritized a potential spot with Les Bleus and views Cameroon as a secondary option. “I didn’t contact him. He put all his money into trying to play with France but he didn’t succeed. And now we,Cameroon,are the second choice? I don’t need to be a second choice,” Brys said.
The Indomitable Lions boss further emphasized his preference for players fully committed to the national team.”We have good players who play with their heart. I don’t need a star,” he added.
Ekitiké, 23, joined Liverpool this summer on a six-year contract for a fee perhaps reaching €95 million. He has made a strong start to his Premier League career, becoming the first player to score in each of his first three competitive matches for the club. Despite this form, he has earned only 11 caps for France’s youth teams, scoring five goals in five appearances for the U-21s.Cameroon will begin their World Cup qualifying campaign on September 1 with a home match against Eswatini, followed by an away fixture against Cape Verde on september 8.Ekitiké was not considered for selection for either game. France faces Ukraine on September 5 and Iceland on September 12.
