Harold Moukoudi has responded to his surprise omission from Cameroon’s squad in the best way possible — with a commanding performance on the UEFA Champions League stage.
The AEK Athens defender played the full 90 minutes as his side secured a narrow 1-0 victory over LASK on Matchday One, collecting maximum points while keeping a clean sheet.
On the opposite side was fellow Cameroonian Yvan Dibango , who was named among the LASK substitutes but did not feature as the Austrian side began their European campaign with defeat.
The meeting between Moukoudi and Dibango was particularly intriguing given that both players were surprisingly overlooked for Cameroon’s squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Moukoudi, who has considerable European and international experience, was at the centre of AEK’s defensive effort throughout the encounter. His 90-minute display ensured that LASK were unable to find an equaliser as the Greek club held on for a precious victory.
While one match will not decide a player’s international future, Moukoudi’s performance inevitably raises questions about his continued absence from the Indomitable Lions setup. The defender now has another Champions League appearance to add to his experience while Cameroon prepare for their AFCON qualifying campaign.
For Dibango, the night was less eventful. The defender remained on the bench throughout, unable to contribute as LASK fell to a narrow defeat.
Still, the bigger story goes beyond Tuesday’s result. Two Cameroonian defenders competing in European football were both absent from the national team squad, and Moukoudi’s latest performance will certainly give Cameroon supporters plenty to discuss.
For now, AEK Athens have the three points, Moukoudi has the clean sheet — and the debate over Cameroon’s squad selection continues.
French 
English