By Angu Lesley, kick442.com Cameroon
Cameroon’s 17-year old sensation Etienne Eto’o Pineda hopes to return to the Cameroon national football team and match the greatness of his father.
Speaking to kick442.com before his departure from Brazil to Spain, the Spanish side Mallorca Under-17 team captain sounded relaxed despite being one of six European based players who didn’t make Cameroon’s World cup squad.
“As I have already said, It was a pleasure to meet these great persons and team mates. I least expected this, but you know the level of African football is on the rise,we have been happy to support each other.
“We have learned alot in our time here. It’s unfortunate that we aren’t going to participate in the World Cup, we will see what the future holds.
Etienne Eto’o Pineda and five others joined the Cameroon Under-17 team in Brazil on the 7th of October 2019 to prepare for the World Cup.
Unfortunately, they were left out of Cameroon’s final squad of 21 players for the tournament because of a presidential decree which prevents Cameroon from selecting players from abroad in the Under-17 and 15 teams.
In action at Mallorca
The lad whose father, Samuel Eto’o achieved greatness at Mallorca and for Cameroon thinks what he will do at club level will shape his future.
“I am at Mallorca, it is a historic club, they are newly promoted, it is my dream club, I really love this club and I like being at Mallorca.
“I have to go back and continue working to grow in the football world. I decided to come and represent the Under-17 Lions of Cameroon. I can’t lie to you, Spain is also my country but I really feel Cameroonian.
“My father achieved a lot with Cameroon and I will like to emulate or try to match his achievements with my country, Cameroon.
With his father
“Yes, it is very difficult to handle this situation but I am very excited to be back with the Under-20,Under-23 and why not the senior team one day if God wants.
“The qualifiers of the Under-20 AFCON is the next possible event for me, I am very excited to play for Cameroon, though Spain is my country but for now Cameroon is my choice,” Etienne Eto’o told kick442.com.
Cameroon will have to challenge Tajikistan, Argentina and Spain with 16 of the 21 players who won the AFCON this year in Tanzania.
The entire team is made up of players affiliated to teams based in Cameroon.
“It is going to be a very difficult World Cup for us, but everything is possible over 90 minutes,” the young Eto’o said. “Spain and Argentina are favourites but the outsiders Cameroon and Tajikistan will want to have their say in the group.
“We are African champions, we have the burning desire to win, we will give everything for ourselves and our country.
Samuel Eto’o achieved greatness
“I am saying we, though am not in the squad of 21. I am still a part of the team and give my whole support to my mates.
“I am not in the squad because of a presidential decree but we have a good team of good players and in 90 minutes we can achieve everything.
It was a difficult decision for coach Thomas Libiih who told this online portal this week that he could have picked at least three of the kids from Europe if not for the law.
“I am grateful to coach Thomas Libiih, there was a great chemistry between us, I know good things about him, he played two World Cups.
“He has achieved a lot and I wish him luck in the World Cup, there has been a lot of debates about him leaving out the European based players from his final squad though it’s not his fault.
“He has picked a good number of good players and I know these mates of mine have the potentials to do a great World Cup,” Etienne Eto’o Pineda concluded before leaving Sao Paulo.
The skillful young forward/midfielder was a joy to watch in Cameroon’s preparatory games. He scored one goal and assisted another in 4 games while he was in camp team Cameroon.