Bayern Munich forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has said he felt disrespected by Cameroon coach Toni Conceicao during the Africa Cup of Nations.
The 32-year-old played in the Indomitable Lions’ first four games at the tournament but was then an unused substitute for the quarter-final and semi-final.
He was originally listed as the captain of the team by the Cameroon Football Federation for the third-placed play-off against Burkina Faso but when the teamsheets were announced he was not even among the substitutes.
After Cameroon’s dramatic comeback from 3-0 down to clinch the bronze medal Choupo-Moting explained he had decided he was not fit enough to play.
“Especially what happened in the quarter-final and semi-final when the coach didn’t count on me for me it was a kind of disrespect,” the former Paris Saint-Germain player said after the game.
“I came here to help the team to win the Afcon. I am not a young 18-year-old player and I want to play and to give everything.
“At the end of the day I respect every decision from the coach, you have to as he is the boss but you don’t have to understand it – so I don’t understand.
“This is the reason I told him I was not fit to play today. But I will always be happy to represent Cameroon. It was just difficult.”
Choupo-Moting instead sat and watched the game from the stands with the other members of the squad not on the substitutes bench but was given a warm reception by the crowd whenever he was visible.
He was also on hand to join his team-mates to celebrate their penalty shoot-out win over Burkina Faso and pick up his bronze medal after the match.
Conceicao had surprised many fans and media when he decided not to bring on Choupo-Moting during the semi-final loss on penalties to Egypt.
The coach explained after the game that the experienced forward did not fit in with his tactical plan as he was making his substitutions.
