This Friday, the coach of Cameroon, Rigobert Song, unveiled his list of 34 players pre-selected for the double confrontation against Namibia on March 23 and 28 on the occasion of the 3e and 4e CAN 2023 qualifying days.
This expanded list is marked by the arrival of several new ones. First there is Malcom Bokele, 23-year-old right-back, author of a leading season with Bordeaux in Ligue 2 and who has already frequented the den in the youth selection. We also find the young midfielder Carlos Baleba (19), revealed with Lille this season, or the Chelsea reserve midfielder, Benjamin Njongoue Elliott (20), who represented England in U16. Born in France, the central defender of Albacete (Spanish D2), Flavien Boyomo is also tested. Pre-summoned last September but absent from the final list, ex-English U20 international Danny Namaso (FC Porto) is also called up.
Recently in european tour, Song may have taken the opportunity to obtain the agreement of these players. It remains to be seen whether everyone will make the final list and whether everyone will respond favorably to the call, like Baleba, who recently explained that he preferred focus on Lille.
Onana and Ngadeu, the big absentees
For the rest, we will see the presence of executives like Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who has obviously decided to continue the adventure after asking himself questions after the 2022 World Cup, Vincent Aboubakar, André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Bryan Mbeumo and Karl Toko-Ekambi. Unsurprisingly, Inter Milan goalkeeper André Onana, who indented from selection after his falling out with Song in Qatar, is missing, as is the former defensive manager Michael Ngadeu (La Gantoise), dismissed before the World Cup. Midfielder Samuel Oum Gouet (Mechelen) is paying for his complicated club situation. On the other hand, the former Stéphanois Harold Moukoudi and the ex-nugget Steve Mvoué are back.
As a reminder, the Indomitable Lions are in an elimination group consisting of only 3 selections due to the suspension of Kenya. After successfully entering against Burundi (1-0), they have the opportunity to widen the gap with Namibia.
The pre-selection of Cameroon against Namibia
