Song can’t play for Cameroun — Tanko

Cameroun's assistant coach, Ibrahim Tanko, has backed his boss, Volker Finke, in the decision to leave out  West Ham United loanee, Alexandre Song, out of his provisional 24-man squad for the  2015 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Equatorial Guinea next month.

The exclusion of the former Arsenal midfielder from the team raised  concerns in the media after it was reported that Song had expressed his desire to play for his country in next month's tournament.

But speaking to the Graphic Sports in Accra at the Happy FM Sports Fans Awards at the weekend, Tanko, who played for the Black Stars during his playing days, said Song was left out because he was suspended by the Cameroun Football Federation (FECAFOOT) after the World Cup in Brazil. 

He stressed that until the ban was lifted, the player couldn’t be part of the team.

"We left out Alex Song because he was suspended after the World Cup in Brazil and until the ban is lifted he will not be part of the team," Tanko stressed.

He contended that the Lions had a youthful team with quality players and were determined to go places looking forward to make an impact at this year’s AFCON.