Clarence Seedorf
Clarence
Seedorf has been dismissed as coach of Cameroon after a disappointing Africa
Cup of Nations campaign with the Indomitable Lions ended in the round of 16
against West African rivals Nigeria.
On Tuesday, Cameroon’s Sports Minister Narcisse
Mouelle Kombi declared on state television CRTV that Seedorf would not continue
as head coach of the 2017 African champions with immediate effect because “he
is not fit for the job.”
At the first serious hurdle, Cameroon were
eliminated at the African Cup of Nations by neighbours Nigeria. In a
spectacular game with plenty of defensive deficiencies, the Super Eagles edged
the contest 3-2 to draw the curtain on Cameroon’s hopes of retaining their
title after Seedorf’s team had finished second in Group F behind Ghana.
“I feel disappointment, obviously,” said Seedorf
after the elimination.
“Also
some anger, because I felt we were a little tense at a few moments. But I have
to appreciate the fighting spirit of my team; the players have done everything
they could today.”
With little or no pedigree in the coaching
business, the 2018 appointment of the Dutchman, alongside his compatriot
Patrick Kluivert, had been a surprise. He succeeded Belgian coach Hugo Broos
who led Cameroon to AFCON glory in 2017, but exited following a disappointing
Confederations Cup later that year.
The dismissal will further dent Seedorf’s
coaching credentials after the 43-year-old enjoyed brief spells at Milan,
Shenzhen and Deportivo La Coruna.
His reign with Cameroon had been his longest yet as a coach, but the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations hosts have now chosen to embark on a different path.
Cameroon had been slated to stage the current Africa Cup of Nations but were stripped off the hosting rights by governing body CAF over delays in preparations.