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Would Jerome Onguene, not preselected, but author of a good season be called in spite of everything? The boss of the Indomitable Lions' technical staff did not try to innovate. And nobody will know (officially) why. "The press conference of the coach scheduled for this Friday, May 27, 2022 will finally not take place," informs the team's press officer. This leaves several questions unanswered.
Only two new players are retained among the 25 who will defend the colors of Cameroon against Burundi on June 8, during the second day of the qualifiers for the AFCON 2023. They are Christopher Wooh (RC Lens) and Georges-Kevin Nkoudou (Besiktas). The two French-Cameroonian will celebrate their entry into the Tanière from this Sunday, the day of the beginning of the training camp. But this will not be the case for other dual nationals. Notably Oumar Gonzalez. The defender of AC Ajaccio was injured during the last day of Ligue 2. Another binational is Olivier Kemen. The former Bleuets U19 captain, who played for Lyon and Newcastle, was nevertheless part of the 34 pre-selected players.
Notable absences
Several names are missing. Some absences are more unjustified than others. This is the case of Didier Lamkel Ze. The FC Metz striker was kept out of the squad for a long time, but he has earned his place since his arrival in France. The 25-year-old arrived at the Grenats at the beginning of April due to the war in Ukraine and has done the Metz attack a world of good (3 goals in 8 games). His absence from Song's list is difficult to swallow. "Lamkel Ze is an excellent player who has proved in recent weeks that he has many qualities. It is thanks to these performances that he was preselected. Logic would have wanted him to be part of the final list unlike a player like Nkoudou who is on a downward slope with Besiktas, or Kevin Soni who is still very far from his level," argues Billy Houto, sports commentator.
The analyst also fails to understand why Jerome Onguene has not been called up. The new recruit from Frankfurt is coming off a successful season with RB Salzburg. Despite five Champions League starts and the Austrian league title, he was passed over for players the team can do without, such as Duplex Tchamba of SønderjyskE (Norway). Onguéné has a place in this group," Houto insists, "He has proved that he is a top player and it is not for nothing that he has just signed for Frankfurt, a Bundesliga club, one of the five best leagues in the world.
"Injustice"
Similarly, Rigobert Song rejected Enzo Ebosse and his 27 games in Ligue 1 with Angers, to keep Olivier Mbaizo who has only played 5 games in all competitions this season with Philadelphia Union. The shocking absence is that of Jean Onana. "His absence is an injustice," insists our analyst. The Bordeaux midfielder has played 23 games in Ligue 1 and finished among the best young players of the season. He is competitive and he performs well," explains Billy Houto, "He confirmed his talent during the 2021 African Cup of Nations and even against Algeria during the 2022 World Cup play-offs. At club level, he is at the top. His absence is not explained, unlike a very average player like Kunde Malong who is on the list.''
