Stéphane Bahoken: « I will do everything to be part of the 23 » of Cameroon

If he is not called for the last two games of the qualifiers with the Indomitable Lions, the striker of Angers SCO (French D1), Stephane Bahoken wants to be present in the Tanière to participate in the 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations that Cameroon hosts, from January 9 to February 6, 2022.

Author of 7 goals and 1 assist in 24 games in all competitions this season with Angers SCO, Stephane Bahoken (28 years) did not appreciate the fact that he was absent during the last grouping of the Indomitable Lions, for the 5th and 6th days of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The Cameroonian striker expressed his frustration in an interview with Made In Foot. For the Angers forward, the French state, the French Football Federation (FFF) and clubs in France should imitate England, regarding restrictive measures to allow African internationals, to be able to defend the colours of their respective countries.

« They have imposed a trip by private jet to be able to return to France, but few federations can afford it… It is frustrating that there are so many precautions, because we could have come back and done a test. And if it’s negative, we can go back to our club. When you look at our neighbours, especially in England, African internationals have left with far fewer restrictions than in France. The pandemic crisis means that these kinds of rules have to be put in place, but the authorities could have worked hard to find solutions to satisfy everyone, » said Stéphane Bahoken.

Stephane Bahoken’s ambition is to be part of the list of 23 Indomitable Lions for the 33rd edition of the African Cup of Nations that Cameroon is hosting from January 9 to February 6, 2022. « Unfortunately, we missed the organisation in 2019 due to logistical problems. In 2022, we do not want to miss it, and even more if the fans are allowed to return to the stadiums by then. We know that the Coronavirus will not be definitively banned, but if we can have fans… », hopes the Cameroonian striker.

« We know the enthusiasm that exists in the country, what it means to host the CAN. Personally, I’m really looking forward to it, I will do everything to be part of the 23. And it is certain that being in a stadium where there are finally fans, it will give us all the joy of doing the job of football, « he added.