Mbia, Aboubakar in “heated” argument after Limbe match

Since Monday, March 28, 2016, several Cameroonian media reported a very bad atmosphere in the den of the Indomitable Lions.

One evokes particularly a heated exchange that would have occurred between the captain Stephane Mbia and Aboubakar, his vice after the Cameroon VS South Africa match in Limbe. The first would have castigated a “childish” attitude during the draw (2-2).

“These young people who have been lined up should be aware that there are elders like Landry N’Guémo and Sébastien Bassong, who were left on the bench. So if they were given their chance, they must wet their jerseys and not be as tender as we saw. ” Mbia allegedly said.

Outraged by these “unfounded” accusations, Vincent Aboubakar would’ve been very angry. “You’re captain, and you must not call out your teammates who are all professional footballers. I do not think it’s you who brought them to Europe. An average match was made, and you must not seek to blame the newcomers because they did not choose themselves.“ Aboubakar thus replied, adding:

“You (Mbia) have spent the time criticizing the former captain here [Samuel Eto’o], but he did not call his younger brother in the Lions. You must stop this and assume your role as captain. “

It would have required an intervention from the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Pierre Ishmael Bidoung Mpkatt who would’ve quickly reframed the captain.

“Mr. Mbia, I do not accept that you speak that way to your teammates and criticize the choices of the coach. What you said yesterday was disrespectful and intolerable. You talk about old players who were not selected for that game, but since you play together with those old players, what have you gained? ” he said.

But according to Vincent de Paul Atangana, Team Press Officer of the Indomitable Lions, it’s all only about a matter of rumour, hence, he said:

“Following the information circulating currently in Cameroon and which relates to a heated exchange between Stéphane Mbia and Vincent Aboubakar after the match against South Africa in Limbe, I want to bring to the attention of public opinion that there has never been an altercation between two teammates in the dressing rooms. ”

He added: “The Indomitable Lions are waiting on the game of Tuesday night against South Africa in Durban. The national coach has announced changes in both the incoming Eleven players and the tactics of the national team. All things are implemented to counter the opponent’s game style of the day and lead the Indomitable Lions to a positive result tonight. “

Could this be the reason Stephane Mbia did not play last Tuesday?