The Cameroon national team has withdrawn Joel Tagueu from the AFCON competition, over a life-threatening heart defect. 

Joel Tagueu, the Cameroon national team player who was withdrawn from AFCON over the life-threatening heart defect, plays for Portuguese club Maritimo. Tagueu had an “anomaly in his coronary artery detected by team doctor, William Ngatchou, which risks his life if he were to play,” the Cameroon Football Federation said.

“On the advice of the doctor, the coach (Clarence Seedorf) has decided not to risk the player, who is leaving the tournament. The news was greeted with a lot of sadness in the camp. The staff and the players could not hold back their tears,” the statement added.