Gaetan Bong of Cameroon during the International Friendly match between Brazil and Cameroon at Stadium mk on November 20, 2018 in Milton Keynes, EnglandGetty

Gaetan Bong: Cameroon national team return was for the love of my country

Brighton and Hove Albion defender Gaetan Bong his return to represent Cameroon was because of the love he has for his country.

The former Wigan Athletic player made his debut for the Indomitable Lions in a friendly game against Portugal in June 2010 after pledging his allegiance to the west African ahead of France where he grew up.

The 30-year-old featured for the five-time African champions at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa but, until recently under Clarence Seedorf [vs. Brazil], failed to represent them since 2014.

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“I wasn’t going for three or four years because I know how it can be tough sometimes in my country,” Bong told BBC Sport.

“But finally I made the decision to come back because I know I love my country and I know I can help.

“The thing I love with our nation is that we always give love, we give everything,  we enjoy life even with nothing. I miss this feeling, I miss this love.

Kylian Mbappe, of Cameroonian descent, was named the young player of the 2018 World Cup in Russia after his impressive showing for France.

“Mbappe played for France but he is from Cameroon. In future we want the young talent to go and play for their African countries because we made them.”

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