LIVE
...

Follow us on

Soccer News

Roger Milla plays down ‘row’ with Tottenham Hotspur loanee Clinton N’Jie

Roger Milla at Italia '90 (Reuters)
Follow us on Google Discover

Cameroon legend says he has given Spurs forward words of advice.

Cameroon’s African Nations Cup quest is so far going according to plan, after knocking out hosts Gabon this weekend.

The 0-0 draw was enough to send Cameroon through to the knockour stages with five points from three matches, alongside Burkina Faso.

They did so without Tottenham forward Clinton N’Jie, who is currently on loan at Marseille.

Tottenham's Clinton Njie during trainingTottenham’s Clinton Njie during training

The 23-year-old was an unused substitute, and has had a difficult week after reports in his homeland accused him of snubbing a handshake from national legend Roger Milla at a post-game event earlier in the tournament.

Speaking to ActuCameroon, Italia ’90 World Cup star Milla played down the controversy, explaining that he had caught up with N’Jie away from the cameras.

Defending the Ligue 1 loan star, he said: “We were there, at the hotel, to applaud them. I was with other people. I have not seen it [the video]. I greeted the others. I can not reassure you that I greet all the players.

“I do not want people to create problems where they do not exist. Besides, he came to see me saying that he learned that he refused to greet me. He was very surprised and disappointed.

“I gave him some advice and he promised to do everything to try to score goals. I then told him that he has very good potential that he should not waste, and that he is here for himself, but also for his club that looks at him.”

Roger Milla at Italia '90Roger Milla at Italia ’90

It will have been frustrating then for N’Jie to have sat out the Gabon match, but he will at least potentially have further opportunities in the tournament’s knockout rounds.

N’Jie had started Cameroon’s previous two matches and will hope their goalless effort against Gabon offers him a reprieve to show what he can do.