Joseph Owona defends Volker Finke

The Standardization Committee President of the Cameroon Football Federation had an exchange Monday morning with the Cameroonian press in Malabo where he noted that he obtained effective responses on the choices made by Volker Finke.

The non-tenure of Njie Clinton, and Georges Constant Mandjeck, sacrificed in favour of Franck Kom has not stopped to raise criticism against the head coach of the Indomitable Lions, Volker Finke. The German engineer is accused of implementing instructions from some leaders of the Cameroonian football in his choice.

"I read that there were political pressures, I wonder who makes these political pressures. I think it is an opportunity to reaffirm that there is no pressure on the part of the Federation. Coach is the only master of the use of his strength based on the information he has on players, depending on what he notices during the workouts. I tell you that I asked myself the question regarding why Njie Clinton does not play, why do they let Franck Kom play instead of Mandjeck, I believe that the coach has effective responses," said the boss of the Cameroonian football federation during an exchange with the press this Monday, January 26, 2015 in Malabo.

Joseph Owona denounced an attempt to destabilize the indomitable lions by people lurking in the shadows. "It is perhaps an opportunity to draw attention to those who want to divide the lions. It's really a shame that people can do this kind of innuendo... I do not know if Njie Clinton is Boko Haram (terrorist group attacking northern Cameroon since several months), I do not believe this is the same coach who found Njie Clinton, it was him who selected him and it was him who brought him here... we all, have the right to make observations, the big problem is that not everyone has all the data, neither Njie Clinton, nor Mandjeck, but the coach has", added the former Minister of Sports.

Joseph Owona who met the technical supervision of the lions Monday morning recommended a fighting spirit, cohesion to come to grips with Ivory Coast Wednesday, sine qua non to clinch qualification to the next round.

"My message is very simple, we are Cameroon, fighting spirit is what has always distinguished us. We also have good technicians like other teams, the morale of the man must make the decision at the last game," he said.

The Federation promises 600 Stadium tickets for Cameroon supporters who are expected to push the Lions to victory.