Young Cameroonian forward Christian Michel Kofane will not join the Indomitable Lions’ AFCON 2025 camp in Morocco this week, after reaching a special arrangement between his club Bayer Leverkusen and the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT).
The 19-year-old striker, who has enjoyed a breakthrough season with Leverkusen, had been expected to link up with the national team early in their preparations in Casablanca. However, both FECAFOOT and the German club agreed to delay his release so that he can feature in Leverkusen’s key Bundesliga fixture against RB Leipzig this weekend.
Under the agreement, Kofane will remain with Leverkusen until after the Leipzig match and is now scheduled to arrive in the Cameroon camp on Sunday, 20 December 2025 — just days before the Lions’ AFCON opener on 24 December against Gabon.
The decision means Kofane misses the first week of Cameroon’s preparations, a move that has drawn criticism from some local pundits who feel the young star should integrate earlier with the squad ahead of Africa’s showpiece tournament.
FECAFOOT, led by president Samuel Eto’o, sanctioned the arrangement with Leverkusen in a bid to accommodate both club and national obligations — a balancing act increasingly common with Europe-based talents ahead of major tournaments.
Cameroon will hope Kofane’s late arrival does not disrupt their tactical plans as they bid for continental glory in Morocco.
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