Cameroon head coach Rigobert Song has named a 27-man squad for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Cote d’Ivoire.
Song has retained only 10 players from Cameroon’s 2021 AFCON squad who clinched bronze on home soil.
Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana is amongst four goalkeepers who made the shortlist.
The former Inter Milan shot stopper joins a trio of defenders; Jean Charles Castelleto, Harold Moukoudi and Nohou Tolo in the team.
The others include Napoli emblematic midfielder Frank Zambo Anguissa, Yvan Neyou, Karl Toko Ekambi, Njie Clinton and skipper Vincent Aboubakar.
Cameroon vice captain Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is the major absentee from the list. The Bayern Munich striker will not be taking part in his third successive AFCON finals after 2019 and 2021.
Sherrif Tiraspol winger Jérôme Ngom Mbeckeli, who starred for the Indomitable Lions during the 2022 FIFA World Cup when he assisted Vincent Aboubakar to score the winner against Brazil also failed to make the cut.
Some of the other big names who missed out include; Nicolas Nkoudou, Fai Collins, Gaël Ondoa, Kunde Malong, Samuel Oum Gouet, Olivier Mbaizo, and Moumi Ngamaleu.
But there’s room for some bi-nationals who recently switched allegiance to Cameroon. 20-year-old Stoke City right back Junior Baptist Tchamadeu, Franck Magri and Faris Pemi Moumbagna who scored 15 goals and registered 5 assists for Norway side Bodø/Glimt have been included.
Song has also called up two local base players. Leonel Ateba who made his debut during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers shall be looking to impress. Victoria United 18-year-old midfielder Wilfried Nathan Douala on his part received his maiden call up to the national team.
Song will be hoping to guide Cameroon to their sixth continental silverware next after winning the trophy twice as a player in 2000 and 2002.
Song, who holds the record of the most capped player of the national team is also looking forward to impress with Cameroon in his second major tournament after last year’s World Cup in Qatar when the team exited in group stages.
The Indomitable Lions are drawn in group C of the 24-nation tournament with defending champions Senegal, Guinea and The Gambia. The 2023 AFCON is scheduled to take place from January 13 to February 11, 2023.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers
André Onana, Dévis Epassy, Simon Ngapandouetnbu, Fabrice Ondoa.
Defenders
Christopher Wooh, Junior Tchamadeu, Nouhou Tolo, Darlin Yongwa,Omar Gonzalez, Harold Moukoudi, Jean Castelleto.
Midfielders
Malkom Bokele, Enzo Tchato, Yvan Neyou, Olivier Kemen, Olivier Ntcham, Zambo Anguissa, Wilfried Nathan, Benjamin Elliott.
Forward
Clinton Njie, Toko Ekambi, Georges Nkoudou, Vincent Aboubakar, Faris Pemi, François Mughe, Frank Magri, Leonel Ateba