Erastus Kulula and Romeo Kasume will play no part in Namibia’s 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Cameroon, as the ongoing dispute over Saturday’s match venue rages on in the West African country.
The attacking pair are reportedly not eligible to travel from Kosovo, where they play for top-flight side Liria Prizren, to Cameroon due to visa restrictions, the Namibia Football Association (NFA) confirmed yesterday.
Kasume and Kulula have been substituted by Punaije Katjimune and Lawrence Doeseb, and are young and eager to play, Brave Warriors head coach Collin Benjamin said.
“It’s a huge blow to the team, but we equally believe in all the players and what they bring to the team. Kulula and Kasume had an impressive year with the team thus far. Both featured in the World Cup qualifiers in June and did well for first-timers at a big stage. They went on to play in the Cosafa tournament,” Benjamin said of the absent players.
His charges are expected to journey from their camp in Johannesburg, South Africa, for Cameroon today.
Benjamin’s full squad assembled in South Africa on Sunday to fine-tune preparations ahead of Saturday’s away battle and the subsequent home clash with Kenya on Tuesday.
Yesterday, Cameroonian media reported that relations between the country’s football federation and government remain volatile.
The Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot) insists that the game will be held in Garoua, while the sport ministry maintains that only the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé is suitable for the encounter.
According to reports from Équinoxe Télévision/Radio, security concerns and logistical issues at the Garoua stadium have led to the decision to hold the match in Yaoundé.
With just five days left until the game, security forces have not yet taken control of the Garoua stadium, and the lighting has not been tested.
The police ‘abducted’ five players upon their arrival at Douala INternational Airport on Tuesday night, the Cameroon Concord reported yesterday.
Key players Franck Anguissa, Bryan Mbeumo, Christopher Wooh, Frank Magri, and Simon Ngapandouetnbu “were blocked and forced to change destination by police officers who appeared to be acting on behalf of the ministry of sport”.
These players are said to have been following the federation’s itinerary and intended to check in at the designated destination in Douala before they were forcibly taken by the police and transported to Yaoundé.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, making it the more likely venue for the crucial qualifier.
“This incident is part of a broader struggle for control over the national team’s affairs. Fecafoot, led by Samuel Eto’o, is the official body recognised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Fifa, but the ministry of sport has taken a conflicting stance,” the Cameroon Concord reports.
“The ministry’s actions have raised concerns about potential sanctions or suspension from CAF, which could have severe repercussions for Cameroon’s participation in international tournaments.”
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
