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JOHANNESBURG. – Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o has told Cameroon teammates he is quitting the national soccer team ahead of World Cup qualifying play-offs. Eto’o, record four-time winner of the African Footballer of the Year award, broke the news after a 1-0 win over Libya at the weekend.
A Cameroon football official said in Yaounde that Eto’o (32) announced his retirement to teammates in the dressing-room after the match.
“He did not give reasons why he is retiring from the national team,” said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“Samuel thanked his teammates for all the efforts they have made to allow him to become a better player. They prayed together and he left.”
An Eto’o corner led to Aurelien Chedjou heading the winner and enabling Cameroon to top Group I after struggling for much of the campaign.
The recent Chelsea recruit from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala limped off injured on the hour mark. A draw in Cairo on September 16 will reveal who six-time World Cup qualifiers Cameroon face over two legs for a place at the 2014 finals in Brazil.
Possible opponents include top-five ranked countries Ivory Coast, Ghana, Algeria and African champions Nigeria. – AFP.
Online Reporter