A senior figure in Cameroonian football has joined calls for the sacking of national coach Winfried Schafer. Antoine Essomba Eyenga, the Chairman of the Association of Division One Clubs, FA board member and owner of top Cameroon side Tonnerre Yaounde, says he doubts Schafer’s ability to lead the Indomitable Lions.
He says Schafer should have been included in the dismissal of assistant coaches Joseph Omog and Thomas Nkono after the 3-0 defeat to Ivory Coast in February.
Since then Cameroon have also lost to Tunisia 1-0.
« It’s the head of the technical staff that is rotten and he should have been the one to be fired, » Essomba said.
« We should find a coach who can communicate with the players and who can be present in Yaounde to work.
« How many times have you seen Schafer watching domestic league games? We can not build a solid national team only with players resident abroad. »
Schafer does not speak French and has been criticised for not moving to Yaounde. The sports minister has insisted this becomes part of his contract.
« Mr. Schafer is not paid to stay in Germany, » Essomba went on to say. « Since he became coach, nothing has changed in the team, except it has been plummeting. »
Cameroon’s World Cup performance was extremely disappointing.
The African Champions drew 1-1 with Ireland, beat Saudi Arabia but just a goal to nil, and lost to Germany 2-0.
Many fans think Essomba, who is know for his outspokeness, is only saying out loud what many officials are privately thinking.
Essomba also accused Schafer of forcing players to look for clubs overseas, because they know they will never be considered for the national team unless they are playing abroad.
