Why a Brazilian D6 Player Was Selected by Cameroon for the Africa Cup of Nations

From the shadows of Brazil’s D6 league to the spotlight of the Africa Cup of Nations, Arnaud Mael Kamdem has surely taken a moment to grasp the unbelievable reality. This 25-year-old midfielder, previously unknown to the public, learned just hours ago that he has been called up to represent Cameroon in the tournament. This marks a historic moment as it’s the first time the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) has summoned a player from such a low tier abroad.

Back home, the announcement naturally sparked widespread surprise, even though the player was not entirely unknown to the Federation (having previously played for youth teams, including the U20s). David Pagou, who was appointed to replace Marc Brys after his dismissal by Samuel Eto’o, is well acquainted with Kamdem, having coached him during their time at Renaissance de Ngoumou. It is this connection, along with the absence of Brice Ambina (Valarenga), that likely led to Kamdem’s call-up.

This Call-Up Could Propel His Career

In Cameroon, many believe the coach opted for a reliable and trustworthy player instead of choosing based solely on talent (for example, Yvan Neyou was not selected for the AFCON and announced his retirement from international duty). A freshening up of the squad was deemed necessary, especially with the exclusion of iconic figures like André Onana, Vincent Aboubakar, and Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting. However, this decision raises questions about the criteria that guide these selections, beyond pure sporting merit. Several players in Ligue 2, the Championship, or even the Swiss Super League were overlooked, challenging the principle of meritocracy.

Having ventured to South America at a young age, Kamdem has played for around ten Brazilian clubs and has recently settled at Sinop Sport Clube, a team in the second division of the State of Mato Grosso, below Serie D and the State Championship. This journey makes his inclusion a significant surprise among players like Bryan Mbeumo and Carlos Baleba, but his performance in the tournament could change his career trajectory dramatically.