AFCON Qualifier: Cameroon's U20 Team to Replace Senior Squad Amid Crisis

The U20 squad, captained by Nathan Douala, boarded a special flight arranged by Camair-Co from Douala, following a chaotic 48 hours for Cameroonian football. FECAFOOT took the unexpected decision to call up the U20 team as a contingency plan after several senior players, reportedly unsettled by the ongoing dispute between FECAFOOT and the Ministry of Sports (MINSEP), refused to side with Fecafoot.

Sources close to the situation revealed that the Namibian national team, who missed their scheduled Kenya Airways flight, will also be flown to Garoua on the same chartered flight as the U20 squad. This logistical scramble underscores the high stakes and uncertainty surrounding the fixture.

Back in Yaoundé, the capital, a crisis meeting is currently underway at the Prime Minister's office. Senior national team members, summoned by Belgian coach Marc Brys, are locked in discussions with Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute. Arriving at the Prime Minister's office around 10 a.m., the players are reportedly negotiating terms under which they would agree to play, amidst growing speculation that FECAFOOT may ultimately field the U20 team.

The decision to send the U20s has ignited passionate reactions across social media. A popular Cameroonian artist, Maahlox, criticized the senior players, questioning their refusal to represent the national team after assurances of safety were provided by FECAFOOT. "If something happens to you, who will your family hold accountable? FECAFOOT is taking full responsibility," Maahlox posted on his social media, reflecting the sentiment of many fans who stand by FECAFOOT’s decision.

The situation is becoming increasingly precarious. If the match against Namibia proceeds without the senior team, Cameroon risks forfeiting the match, which could further deepen the rift between the federation and the ministry. The Namibian team is expected to arrive in Douala soon, but with uncertainty surrounding the venue and the team they will face, the atmosphere remains tense.

As the U20 team settles into their Garoua base, the country waits anxiously for the outcome of the crisis talks in Yaoundé. Should the senior team boycott the match, the young Lions will be called upon to defend Cameroon’s pride, a task that could either make or break their burgeoning careers on the international stage.

With just days left until the scheduled match, the football world watches closely as Cameroon’s national team crisis unfolds, casting a shadow over the country's AFCON 2025 aspirations.