The Indomitable lions of Cameroon have become the first-ever African national football selection, to make known her 26-man squad ahead of the Qatar World Cup, Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at the Omnisport Stadium.
The information was officially made public BT the Indomitable Lions head coach Rigobert Song Bahanag, in a press briefing, on Wednesday at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium after the 1-1 draw between the Raggae Boys of Jamaica against Cameroon.
Nicolas Nkoulou, Eric Maxim Choupo Moting and captain, Vincent Aboubakar will be in their first world cup participation.
Nicolas Nkoulou is making a comeback after being absent from international football, since his country won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2017. Currently the most experienced player in the squad, Nkoulou represented Cameroon in the 2010 and 2014 editions of the world cup.
The 32 year-old central defender goes into the competition with 76 caps for country.
Just like Nkoulou, Vincent Aboubakar will be wearing Cameroon’s national colours at the FIFA competition for the third time.
He made his World Cup debut at the in 2010, in South Africa as the only home based player at that time.
The Al Nassr striker won the golden boot of the 2021,Africa Cup of Nations on home soil with 8 goals. He has become Cameroon’s all time third best goal score with 37 goals in 93 appearances. He played a vital role in his country’s world cup qualification journey.
Forward Eric Maxime Choupo Moting will be in his second world cup expedition after 2014 in Brazil. The Bayern Munich attacker, who has found form this season is a player to watch out for in Qatar.
He has scored 11 goals in 15 games in all club competitions this season. Eric Maxim Choupo Moting who turned 33,on the 23rd of March this year opened score for Cameroon against Algeria in Blida. And a last minute goal from Karl Toko Ekambi later sealed the qualification victory for Cameroon.
On Rigobert Song’s 26 man list are two home based attackers, Marou Souaibou and Jerome Mbeleki.
Marou Souaibou was part of the Cameroon team that faced Algeria, in the return-leg of FIFA World Cup last round qualifier.
The 21 year- old winger who played every minute of Cameroon’s friendly against Jamaica, with a Cameroon team that was made up of essentially local players will be hoping to debut for country when Cameroon travel to Qatar.
The Coton sport of Garoua marksman was voted the best player on Cameroonian soil, on the back of a 21 – goal season.
Marou Souaibou’s Coton Sport of Garoua won both the Cameroon division one championship and the cup of Cameroon last season and is the only Cameroonian club still competing in the CAF Champions League.
Gérôme Ngom Mbeleki on his part, saw his first call up for the senior team on Wednesday. The Colombe of the Dja and Lobo attacker is in his second season with the Sangmelima side. He scored 4 goals and gave 14 assists last season.
He has contributed to three goals this season and his club is topping Pool A of the ongoing MTN Elite one championship in Cameroon.
The former Apejes of Mfou player was part of the Cameroon squad that faced Equatorial, in the 2023 Africa Nations Championship qualifiers in August and September 2022.
His relationship with head coach Rigobert Song began in 2018,when he was appointed head coach of the Under-23 lions, though he finally did not play the U-23 AFCON in Egypt.
Marou Souaibou and Gérôme Ngom Beleki are hoping to make a name in Qatar.
Full list:
Goalkeepers: Simon Ngapandouetnbu (Marseille – France) Devis Epassy Mbota (Abha, Saudi), Andre Onana Onana (Inter, Italy),
Defenders: Collins Fai Ngoran (Al Tai, Saudi), Olivier Mbaizo (Philadelphia Union, USA), Wooh christophe ( Stade Rennais, France) Nicolas Nkoulou (Aris Saloniki, Greece), Jean-Charles Castelletto (Nantes, France), Enzo Ebosse ( Udinese, Italy), Nouhou Tolo (Seattle Sounders, USA).
Midfielders: Olivier Ntcham (Swansea, England), Malong Kunde (Olympiakos, Greece), Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli, Italy), Samuel Gouet Oum (Mechelen, Belgium), Martin Hongla (Hellas Verona, Italy), Gaelle Ondoa (Hannover 96, Germany)
Forwards: Ngom Mbeleki (Colombe, Cameroon) Christian Bassogog (Shanghai Shenua, China), Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (Bayern Munich, Germany), Bryan Mbeumo – ( Brentford, England) George Kevin Nkoudou (Besiktas, Turkey) Jean Pierre Nsame, (Young Boys, Swiss) Moumi Ngamaleu (Dynamo Moscow, Russia), Karl Toko-Ekambi (Olympique Lyon, France), Moumi Ngamaleu (Dynamo, Russia), Vincent Aboubakar (Al Nasr, Saudi Arabia), Marou Souaibou (Cotonsport – Cameroon
Song’s imperious Indomitable Lions side will be tested by savvy Switzerland, fierce Serbia, and a Brazilian side at ease performing in the big occasions.
Cameroon will look to provide a stern test for World No. 1 side – Brazil in group G, but there will certainly not be an easy ride to the knockout rounds with a tough draw.
Cameroon will play Panama in Abu Dhabi,on November 18,2022. Then play their first official game of world’s most prestigious soccer Jamboree against Switzerland, on November 24,2022.
By Brian Mboh