Samuel Eto’o to meet Hugo Ekitiké in bid to convince PSG forward to play for Cameroon at AFCON

Sports Zone are reporting that Samuel Eto’o, the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, is set to meet with Paris Saint-Germain forward Hugo Ekitiké (21) in a bid to convince the forward to represent the country at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). 

Ekitiké has yet to feature for Les Bleus but has represented the France U20 side on six occasions. However, he has since fallen off the radar of the French selectors entirely. The former Stade de Reims forward has played just eight minutes of first-team football this season. 

Those minutes came in the very first game of the Ligue 1 season, during a 0-0 draw against FC Lorient. He has not even been included in a matchday squad since late August. Ekitiké has been essentially banished from the first team at PSG due to his refusal to act as a makeweight in the deal to bring Randal Kolo Muani to the Parc des Princes.

Ekitiké – banished but not forgotten by Cameroon… or France

Whilst Kolo Muani did ultimately make the move from Eintracht Frankfurt to PSG, for an increased fee, Ekitiké’s refusal to make the opposite move had looked to have jeopardised the move entirely. PSG’s executives were reportedly “furious” with the player. 

Whilst Ekitiké likely has his sights set on a January move away from PSG, he has not been forgotten by both Cameroon and France’s selectors. RMC Sport reported in October that Thierry Henry, France U21 manager, called Ekitiké to inform him that he is still on his radar. 

However, Ekitiké has also been contacted by Cameroon. Eto’o is now set for a meeting with Ekitiké, according to Sports Zone. The President’s objective is to convince the PSG forward to represent Cameroon as early as the AFCON tournament, which begins in January 2024. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle