Cameroon Assistant Coach Absent During Draw Against Eswatini Due to Dispute

This article discusses the absence of Cameroon’s assistant coach Joachim Mununga during a World Cup qualifying match against Eswatini due to reported disagreements with FECAFOOT. Head coach Marc Brys expressed dissatisfaction with these developments, emphasizing the need for trusted assistants. Mununga, who is not under contract with the national team, has also faced issues regarding his role, amid calls from the Minister of Youth and Sports to resolve the conflict.
Cameroon’s national team assistant coach, Joachim Mununga, was notably absent during the recent World Cup qualifying match against Eswatini, resulting in a 0-0 draw. This absence stems from a reported disagreement with the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT). Despite earlier claims from Mununga that no issues existed, the decision barring him from the technical area suggests otherwise.
In an interview with state broadcaster CRTV, Mununga expressed his commitment to the national team, stating, “I have known (head coach Marc) Brys for a long time. He also trained me but I am here to challenge him. My ambition is to serve Cameroon, the coach, and the players.” It is clear that his loyalty lies with both the coach and the team, despite the ongoing tension.
Head coach Marc Brys conveyed his dissatisfaction with the recent developments. He criticized the decision in a media statement, asserting, “I cannot work with people I do not know and who are less competent. I need my assistant. (…) It is my right. I am the head coach, and I decide who should be on the bench, just like in other countries.” Brys emphasized the importance of working with trusted personnel.
Additionally, it is noteworthy that Mununga is currently not under a formal contract with the national team, as he has yet to sign any agreement. Although the technical staff’s salaries are covered by the Cameroonian government, the lack of a contract raises questions regarding his position. Prior to the match against Eswatini, the Cameroonian Minister of Youth and Sports urged FECAFOOT to permit Mununga to assume his role in the technical area amidst this ongoing conflict in the management of Cameroonian football.
In conclusion, the absence of assistant coach Joachim Mununga during Cameroon’s match against Eswatini highlights significant discord between him and FECAFOOT. Despite Mununga’s assertions of loyalty to the team’s ambitions, head coach Marc Brys’s concerns regarding his team’s composition have fueled controversy. Additionally, the lack of a formal contract for Mununga complicates the situation further, drawing attention to the strained relationship within the management of Cameroonian football.
Original Source: www.panafricafootball.com