Clinton Njie: Volker Finke’s forbidden fruit and rejected stone?

Volker Finke, Head Coach of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon is correct when he said in a press conference that “football cannot be compared to elections” where the population votes for its leaders.

The German trainer was indirectly answering the “peoples’ call” for him to unconditionally put Clinton Njie in his first eleven against the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in the 2015 Africa Nations Cup in Equatorial Guinea. True…fans cannot vote for Njie to play even if he is their favourite.

On the other hand Mr Finke has been wrong with his choice of players since the competition began in Malabo. Football pundits have repeatedly questioned why he has failed to maintain the same squad that brilliantly grabbed a ticket to the 2015 AFCON.

One of those sidelined has been Clinton Njie who scored three goals in the qualifiers. Without plausible justification, the youngster, 21, who has already proven his worth, has been forced to stay on the reserve bench when Cameroon clashed with Mali and Guinea.

The fans; home and aboard are furious and accuse the coach for his short-sightedness and incompetence.

However, Mr Finke is steadfast with his ideology. He is the boss and will not bow to any pressure, not to talk of that from Cameroonians whose taxes are used to pay him.

It suffices to say that Clinton Njie has been Volker Finke’s forbidden fruit in the first two encounters. Will he stay in that position?

Public opinion is saying he should not. Thereby calling the coach to keep shame aside and listen to the voice of the masses because his rejected stone is now the cornerstone. Cameroonians will never forgive him should the team be eliminated at this stage of the competition without their favourite marksman. That is the bitter pill which he must swallow.

The game against Cote d’Ivoire is a do-or-die affair for the country, which is fighting a war with the Nigeria-based Islamist sect, Boko Haram. Football is now its solace. Thus, it is no longer necessary for the coach to play tough. Nobody has forgotten how his toughness left Cameroon with three defeats, zero points, and nine goals conceded in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The seven-time participant, Cameroon was last in the competition. Its worst performance.

That notwithstanding, the country of Roger Milla and Samuel Eto’o Fils gave Volke Finke a second chance. Will Finke spoil it again?