On December 28, 2023, the coach of the Indomitable Lions, Rigobert Song, created a surprise by announcing that a 17-year-old footballer was joining the Cameroon national team for the African Cup of Nations which took place from January 13 to February 11, 2024 in Ivory Coast. Wilfried Nathan Douala, midfielder for Victoria United, a club from Limbé (first division), an English-speaking seaside town in the South-West region, is unknown to the general public. Quickly, comments about his age circulated, calling into question his 17 years.
In January 2022, The world had met, in Douala, a player who said his name was Alexandre Bardelli and he was 21 years old. It turns out they are the same person. He presented himself under a different name but tattoos and a scar prove that it is indeed the same man.
On March 10, the Cameroonian Football Federation, led by icon Samuel Eto’o, announced that it had suspended Wilfried Nathan Douala from the first division championship for “double identity”.
For having selected a player who allegedly lied about his age and identity, the Indomitable Lions are risking a lot. According to the regulations of the African Cup of Nations, Cameroon could be excluded from the competition during the next two editions.