Cameroon national team head coach Rigobert Song has named his first squad for 2022 World Cup play-off, home and away, against Algeria.
The former Indomitable Lions captain was appointed in February after former coach Antonio Conceicao was fired for failing to win the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
The new squad core is somewhat of a continuation from the team that finished third in AFCON, while there is also the inclusion of a few players that are either new or returning.
Croatia-based goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa has returned to the squad, as well as Peterborough’s midfielder Jenado Funchs.
Swansea City midfielder Olivier Ntcham has earned his maiden call-up, same for Galatasaray defender Sacha Boey, Hannover midfielder Gael Ondoa and Asteras Tripolis forward Kevin Soni.
Despite not been active at their clubs, experienced stars Christian Bassogog and Clinton Njie have been included in the squad .
Song didn’t include Liverpool defender Joel Matip despite numerous reports of his supposed acceptance in returning to the Indomitable Lions squad.
Cameroon and Algeria will face each other in a two-legged play-off tie for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The Indomitable Lions will host the Algerians in the first leg with the North Africans hosting second leg.
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Simon Omossola (AS Vita Club, DR Congo), Devis Epassy (OFI Crete, Greece), Andre Onana (Ajax, Netherlands), Fabrice Ondoa (Unattached).
Defenders: Collins Fai (Al Tai, Saudi Arabia), Olivier Mbaizo (Philadelphia Union, USA), Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui (Gent, Belgium), JC Castelletto (Nantes, France), Harold Moukoudi (St Etienne, France), Enzo Ebosse (Angers, France), Ambroise Oyongo Bitolo (Montpellier, France), Jerome Onguene (Red Bull Salzburg, Austria), Nouhou Tolo (Seattle Sounders, USA), Sacha Boey (Galatasaray, Turkey), Jean-Claude Billong (Clermont, France), Duplexe Tchamba (SonderjyskE, Denmark).
Midfielders: Jean Onana Junior (Bordeaux, France), Malong Kunde (Olympiakos, Greece), Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli, Italy), Samuel Gouet Oum (Mechelen, Belgium), Martin Hongla (Hellas Verona, Italy), James Lea Siliki (Middlesbrough, England), Yvan Neyou (St Etienne, France), Olivier Ntcham (Swansea City, England), Jeando Fuchs (Peterborough United, England), Arnaud Djoum (Apollon Limassol, Cyprus), Gael Ondoa (Hannover 96, Germany).
Forwards: Ignatius Ganago (Lens, France), Christian Bassogog (Shanghai Shenua, China), Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (Bayern Munich, Germany), Stephane Bahoken (Angers, France), Karl Toko-Ekambi (Lyon, France), Moumi Ngamaleu (Young Boys, Switzerland), Vincent Aboubakar (Al Nasr, Saudi Arabia), Clinton Njie (Dinamo Moscow, Russia), John Mary (Al-Shabab, Saudi Arabia), Kevin Soni (Asteras Tripolis, Greece), Leandre Tawamba (Al Taawoun, Saudi Arabia).
