Jean Paul Akono has made a controversial return to Cameroon’s Olympic squad as they train for October’s All Africa Games in Nigeria. Akono, who returned to the country after his one-year contract with Chad ended in July, managed Cameroon to the gold medal at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.
He joined the team at their Ombe camping base, some 400 kilometres south of the capital Yaounde, without the official backing of sports minister Bidoung Mpkatt.
His return to the side has cast a cloud of uncertainty over who will lead the team to Nigeria, as Akono’s role has not been made clear.
Martin Ndtougou, who has been in charge of the team, said the uncertainty can only be resolved by Mpkatt, who accompanied state president Paul Biya on an official visit to China.
Ndtougou managed the team when they qualified for the 1999 All Africa Games and the 2000 Olympics, but Akono was appointed to replace him before the team departed for Sydney.
Akono has refused to make any public statement on his role within the team, which is expected to depart for the All-Africa games next week.
By Martin Etonge
