Eric Choupo Moting: Why Bayern Munich Star Was Dropped by Cameroon Coach for AFCON 2023

• Eric Choupo-Moting has not been included in the Cameroon squad for AFCON
• Cameroon coach Rigobert Song insists he selected the best players for the tournament
• Choupo-Moting was part of the team at the 2021 edition in Cameroon

Cameroon coach, Rigobert Song has explained the absence of Bayern Munich star Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting from his squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

The former PSG forward was a surprise exclusion from the squad following his experience with the national team.

Choupo-Moting was part of the team that finished third when Cameroon hosted the tournament last year. He also featured for Cameroon at the 2014 and 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Despite scoring 20 goals in 73 appearances for the Indomitable Lions, Song preferred to travel with a relatively younger team.

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"Choupo Moting is a very good player. But my staff and I have decided to remain in the continuity of recent games. He remains an important player but a choice had to be made and the choice was made. And for now, I'll go with those I chose," explained Song during a presser to announce his squad.

The serial winner has scored three goals in 14 Bundesliga games this season, per Transfermarkt.

The Germany-born switched nationalities to represent Cameroon in 2010, and has since appeared at various tournaments.

Cameroon name AFCON 2023 squad

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that participating teams at the forthcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations are making final preparations ahead of the tournament, which starts on January 13.

Coaches have submitted their final squads for the showpiece and here we look at the players who will be heading to the tournament to represent their respective countries.

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South Africa will be without their key striker, Lyle Foster, who was left out of the squad due to mental health problems, while Ivory Coast will be without Wilfred Zaha.

Zaha reacts after Ivory Coast omission

Sports Brief also reported that Galatasaray forward Wilfried Zaha has reacted to his omission from the Ivory Coast squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations on home soil.

The former Manchester United and Crystal Palace winger was surprisingly not included in the 27-man squad released by coach Jean-Louis Gasset.

Zaha, who switched nationalities to represent Ivory Coast, was part of the team at the tournament in Cameroon last year.