Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba played alongside Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo for Cameroon against Gabon in their first match at the Africa Cup of Nations
Carlos Baleba went off injured at half-time of Cameroon’s opening game of the Africa Cup of Nations against Gabon.
Brighton and Hove Albion’s midfielder started the match playing behind Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo. The latter assisted Karl Etta Eyong’s goal in their 1-0.
Baleba, however, could not continue into the second half after sustaining what appeared to be an injury just before the break. The 21-year-old received treatment in first-half stoppage time and was replaced by Jean Onana after the interval.
Being substituted is nothing new for Baleba this season. The player has completed 90 minutes just twice for Brighton, with the most recent of those being at the start of November.
He sustained a knee injury during the summer and struggled physically in the early stages of this season. During that time, United’s interest in the player became publicly known.
A move did not materialise before the transfer deadline, despite Baleba reputedly being keen on a move to Old Trafford. Brighton’s reputed £100million asking price proved to high for United.
However, there is a belief that they will renew their efforts over the coming transfer windows. That happening in January could now hinge on the seriousness of this injury that forced Baleba off in Agadir.
The player, meanwhile, will hope it is not severe enough to impact his involvement in Morocco this winter. Baleba said before the tournament: “I believe in our players.
“We go to play the AFCON, and I think we’re going to do well. Playing for Cameroon, for me, it’s big, because I want to win something with my country.
“It’s a pleasure to play for my country. I want to win the AFCON and World Cup with my country!
“I’ve become a big leader, but there are a lot of leaders in the group. There are a lot of leaders like Bryan Mbeumo.
“But everyone, we’re going to stay together and play, and maybe we can give all of ourselves to our country. But the first thing is to believe in our team.”
Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler spoke in October about the player taking responsibility after a move to United did not happen. He said: “The noise is over. He can’t change it.
“He is a Brighton player and, no matter what the rumours are, he will be a Brighton player for the whole season or until the end of the season. Now he has to take responsibility.”
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