AFCON 2025 / Unusual Decision: Cameroon Federation Allows Kofani to Play for Leverkusen on Saturday Before Joining National Team

In an unusual move, promising Cameroonian striker Christian Kofani (19) will be the last player to join the Cameroonian national team camp ahead of the start of the Africa Cup of Nations "Morocco 2025."

FIFA had decided to allow European clubs to retain their African players until December 15. However, the Cameroonian Football Federation took a surprising step, permitting Bayer Leverkusen to keep the 19-year-old player until Saturday, December 20.

The Cameroonian Federation agreed with Bayer Leverkusen for Kofani to stay until Saturday to play in the crucial match against Leipzig in the German league. After the match, he will head directly to the Kingdom of Morocco, knowing that the AFCON is set to kick off this Sunday.

Kofani is expected to join the Cameroonian national team in Morocco in the early hours of Sunday morning, just three days before the Indomitable Lions' first Africa Cup match, which will be against Gabon (Wednesday, December 24 / 21:00 GMT+1).