Rising Bayer Leverkusen talent Christian Kofane (19) declines Cameroon national team call-up | OneFootball

Rising Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane has declined an October call up to the Cameroonian national team. The 19-year-old wishes to focus on duties with his Bundesliga club, at which an injury to starting center forward Patrik Schick has enabled him to accrue more playing time. Kofane also turned down a call up from Les Indomptables back in September.

Kofane moved to his current Bundesliga outfit from Spanish Segunda side Albacete Balompié after a protracted and messy set of negotiations this summer. The teenage talent turned in a very strong training camp and earned two appearances under previous B04 head coach Erik ten Hag.

Kofane scored a goal and registered an assist in Leverkusen’s opening round Pokal victory. In his first start for die Werkself, also under ten Hag, Kofane added an assist in a matchday two 3-3 draw with Werder Bremen.

Kofane moved up the Bayer depth chart when Nigerian international Victor Boniface was loaned out to Werder. Schick’s injury thus thrust the young talent immediately into the spotlight. Kofane has taken full advantage of his shot.

Since taking over for Schick as the starting center-forward under head coach Kasper Hjulmand, Kofane has scored a goal in both of his starts; a Champions League draw with PSV Eindhoven and a matchday six win over Union Berlin.

Whether or not Kofane shall end up representing his country at either the January Africa Cup of Nations or the coming summer World Cup in the USA remains to be seen. For the time being, Kofane apparently doesn’t wish to distract himself from his massive breakthrough at the club level.

GGFN | Peter Weis