Atouba opts out of African Nations Cup (10.01.2006)
Hamburg`s Cameroon international defender Thimothee Atouba has opted out of competing in the African Nations Cup, according to newspaper reports on Monday.
Atouba, who arrived in Germany from Premiership outfit Tottenham last July, turned down a call-up from Cameroon coach Artur Jorge for the January 20-February 10 tournament because he was not guaranteed to line out.
The 23-year-old has opted instead to join the Bundesliga club in their training camp in Spain until the end of January. Hamburg are currently second in the German league, six points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
