Chelsea FC’s Samuel Eto’o Set To Captain Cameroon World Cup Squad

Chelsea FC striker Samuel Eto’o is set to play in his fourth World Cup and potentially captain the Cameroon World Cup squad after being named to the 30-man provisional squad. Eto’o was the captain as the Indomitable Lions secured qualification in a playoff against Tunisia last year. He also captained the side in their latest friendly against Portugal earlier this year.

The 33 year old Eto’o was the youngest player in the 1998 World Cup and made little impact but was a more important figure for his nation in the 2002 and 2010 tournaments. Despite scoring 55 goals and making 116 appearances, Eto’o has had a tumultuous relationship with the Cameroonian FA and has been in and out of the national team setup several times. He was suspended for eight months after refusing to play in a friendly against Algeria in protest in 2011. In 2012 he also refused to play in an African Cup of Nations qualification playoff for similar reasons but eventually returned for the second leg.

More from World Cup

• How Chelsea stars fared in World Cup quarterfinals and semifinals
• How Chelsea players fared in the World Cup Round of 16
• How Chelsea players fared in World Cup in Matchday 3
• World Cup round of 16 betting guide and tips
• How Chelsea players fared in World Cup in Matchday 2

Eto’o is one of the legends of African football and is arguably the greatest Cameroonian footballer of all time joining the likes of Rigobert Song and Roger Milla in that conversation. Despite the rocky relationship he has had with the Cameroon FA, Eto’o has been a fantastic ambassador for Cameroonian and African football and will look to end his international career on a high note when he hopefully makes the trip to Brazil and puts on the captain’s armband once again.

The 2014 Cameroon World Cup Squad:

Goalkeepers: Charles Itandje (Konyaspor), Ndy Assembe (Guingamp), Sammy Ndjock (Fetihespor), Loic Feudjou (Coton Sport).

Defenders: Allan Nyom (Granada), Dany Nounkeu (Besiktas), Cedric Djeugoue (Coton Sport), Aurelien Chedjou (Galatasaray), Nicolas Nkoulou (Marsiglia), Armel Kana-Biyik (Rennes), Henri Bedimo (Lione), Benoît Assou-Ekotto (Tottenham Hotspur), Gaetang Bong (Olympiakos).

Midfielders: Eyong Enoh (Antalyaspor), Jean Makoun (Rennes), Joel Matip (Schalke), Stephane Mbia (QPR), Landry Nguemo (Bordeaux), Alex Song (Barcelona), Cedric Loe (Osasuna), Edgar Sally (Lens).

Strikers: Samuel Eto’o (Chelsea), Eric Choupo Moting (Mainz), Benjamin Moukandjo (Nancy), Vincent Aboubakar (Lorient), Achille Webo (Fenerbahce), Mohamadou Idrissou (Kaiserslautern), Fabrice Olinga (Zulte-Waregem).

Source: The Guardian