Cameroon international football player, Nathan Douala, has been cleared after he was suspended for lying about his age.
17-year-old Douala, who was a surprise inclusion in Rigobert Song’s team for the tournament in the Ivory Coast, was one of 62 players suspended by Cameroonian Football Federation, FECAFOOT.
As per prominent French football journalist Hanif Berkane, who confirmed the news in a Tweet, saying, “He was reinstated in the League and will therefore be able to play in the play-offs with his team.”
While Song was commended for discovering Douala’s talent in the domestic league, the midfielder failed to make an appearance in the tournament as Cameroon exited in the last 16 against Nigeria.
This isn’t the first time Cameroon has faced such issues. In 2022, the federation summoned 44 players from eight clubs over age or identity concerns, underlining president Samuel Eto’o’s determination to tackle the problem. Similarly, in January 2023, 21 members of their Under-17 squad were disqualified for the same reasons.
Age fraud remains a persistent issue in African football, casting a shadow over the continent’s international achievements, especially at junior levels.
FECAFOOT’s latest action signals a continued effort to uphold integrity and fairness in the sport, aiming to eradicate age-related controversies that undermine the game’s credibility.
[Image via Shutterstcok]