Cameroon captain Benjamin Moukandjo announces retirement from international football
China-based Moukandjo made the announcement following comments by Cameroon’s new coach Clarence Seedorf that “good players don’t compete in Asia.”
Cameroon captain Benjamin Moukandjo announced his retirement from international football at the age of 29 following comments made by new coach Clarence Seedorf ().
Moukandjo, who currently plays for China’s Beijing Renhe, led the Indomitable Lions to win the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Gabon.
However, more recently he was dropped from Seedorf’s squad for a match against Comoros earlier this month, with the new coach saying that “good players don’t compete in Asia.”
According to the Beijing Renhe’s forward, those remarks prompted his decision to retire from the Indomitable Lions.
'I found the recent comments by Mr Clarence Seedorf very brash and unfair. Unfair because despite being the team captain, I never received a call from the coach to inform me about his decision,' Moukandjo said on Saturday night.
Unfair remarks by Seedorf
The former Monaco and Lorient striker said that he disagreed with Seedorf’s comments that the Chinese Super League is not competitive enough.
'My real level and that of my other team-mates should've been assessed on the pitch before the coach made his decision to sideline any player.
'I am proud of the time I spent with the Indomitable Lions and I would like to thank all my team-mates who supported and trusted in me. I am convinced in all humility that I have accomplished my mission, living up to the expectations of my country.
'I wish the team good luck for the next Africa Cup of Nations and I hope they will be able to win it for the honour of Cameroon,' Moukandjo added.
The 29-year-old made his debut with Cameroon in an Afcon qualifier against Senegal in 2011 and went on to register 55 appearances with the Indomitable Lions, scoring eight times.