The Cameroon Italy friendly will certainly be a baptism of fire for the two home based players called to camp to prepare for the encounter whether or not they play come Wednesday. They would have to face the test of time not only from the public but from football agents who would want to discover these youngsters as confirmed by Gerard Francescon, a French football Scout from Ligue 1 side Sochaux.
Italy against Cameroon should be a mouth watering clash no one would ever like to miss and as the occasion presents itself next Wednesday, though a friendly. If it is an occasion for both coaches to start mapping out strategies ahead of the world cup, it is an opportunity for football agents to start scouting out players to prepare for next season. The absence of Rigobert Song and Geremi Njitap might have provided an opportunity for the papers to make some noise but the stunning inclusion of two home based players into the squad still continue to make headlines.
Ever since the news was made earlier last week of the inclusion of Mabouka Massoussi and Abouna Ndzana, all players of Astres of Douala, to face Italy in next Wednesday friendly, things have not been the same for these youngsters. First they have not only been the centre of attraction from both the local and international Media as well as fans but have most essentially been an attraction from football agents. Last Sunday when Astres pulled a one-one (1-1) tie with Roumnde Adjia of Garoua in Douala, the qualities of both players were under scrutiny from two football agents from French Ligue 1 side FC Sochaux. The principal scout, Gerard Francescon told me that he was in Cameroon for a three day mission but his stay was extended by the news of the call up of these players whom he personally watched before leaving for France.
In a telephone interview this morning (ndrl: monday), the agent confirmed that he would be traveling to Monaco to watch both players on account of his Club. According to him this decision was motivated by the fact that both players impressed him when he watched them play last week in Douala. He confirmed the fact that both players are equally on the radar trap of other French clubs but declined to reveal their identity. Reports have been fuming in the French Media that some French coaches and football agents have been drawing closer to head coach, Paul Le Guen to get first hand information on both players though he knows them little.
Mabouka, Abouna and their game style
Many would be waiting to see how both players fit well into Paul Le Guen’s game plan on Wednesday against the Italians. For those who are used to the Douala Reunification stadium can confirm the fact that both players are more offensive than defensive given that the game plan of their club is 70 percent based on attacking football. Watching both players in Douala last week alongside Gerard Francescon, they were in stunning form as Abouna offered the pass that led to Astres’s goal. At half time, this football agent was pondering if both players were defenders… The simple reason is most of their team’s goals come from them. Mabouka was very offensive during the first 45 minutes because he was given the freedom by his coach, while Abouna had a quiet first half because he had a winger, Momasso Joseph who almost did the job for him but their roles changed in the second half Abouna became more offensive. They were strong in defending and expressed a vintage of attacking football but would they be able to meet up with the challenges that await them with the Lions? Wait and See.
Francis AJUMANE, Douala
