Former Players: J. Bru scores against Cameroon

A Mauritian international since a few weeks, Jonathan Bru started in the African Nations Cup qualifications this Saturday, against Cameroon. Unsurprisingly, Mauritius Island (183th in the FIFA rankings, 48th African nation) was beaten on their soil by Georges Mandjeck’s team (1-3). A leading star in the Mauritian team, the former Rennes midfielder had equalised before half time, replying to the opener by Samuel Eto’o.

A 2003 Gambardella Cup winnner with the Stade Rennais, he never managed to do it through in his training club, despite being one of the team’s hottest prospects. After his departure from Rennes in 2006, Kevin Bru’s brother – also trained at the club’s academy – went on to play with Istres (2006-2008), AE Paphos (Cyprus, 2008-2009), Academica Coimbra (Portugal, 2009-2010). Free this summer, Bru recently signed a contract with Portuguese second division team Oliveirense.

Called-up with France in all age categories until the U21, he is a member of the “quadricolor” Mauritian selection since a few weeks only. Called for this game against Cameroon, he could have decided not to honour his selection, as he realised arriving at Porto airport early this week that his federation had done no bookings for his trip to Mauritius. Annoyed by the situation, the Paris born came back home before the national team managers made all necessary bookings for his situation to be arranged.