AFCON 2023 (Q) - Cameroon: Rigobert Song begins rebuilding
Rigobert Song begins rebuilding. For the game against Burundi on 12 September, he has called up only 14 of the players who were in Qatar.
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The Cameroon head coach has unveiled his 24-man squad for the game against Burundi on 12 September in Garoua. For this fixture, the final round of 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, Rigobert Song has made (somewhat) unexpected selections. Of the 24 players called up, only 14 played at the last World Cup in Qatar.
André Onana, Clinton Njie and Moukoudi back in
The major news in the squad announced on Tuesday 29 August 2023 is the call-up of André Onana. In international retirement since his suspension in the middle of the 2022 World Cup, the Manchester United goalkeeper appears to have had a change of heart. Even so, according to the latest reports, his call-up did not come without conditions. According to whispers, the finalist in the last Champions League is said to have asked for a number of guarantees before his name went on the list.
Like André Onana, other returnees have made the squad, notably Oum Gouet, Gaël Ondoua, Clinton Njie and Harold Moukoudi. In superb form with Sivasspor (4 goals in 6 games in all competitions this season) and AEK Athens (2023 Greek champions), the last two named had not been called up since the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
François-Régis Mughe arrives
One surprise in the squad is the presence of François-Régis Mughe. Never picked by Rigobert Song or his predecessors, the 19-year-old prodigy makes a notable entrance into the Indomitable Lions' den. It is a deserved first call-up for the Marseille midfielder, who has strung together fine performances since the start of the season. The talent developed in Cameroon already has 3 Ligue 1 games to his name.
Nkoulou and Castelletto left out
However, Rigobert Song's squad also contains some notable absences. Two centre-backs who started at the previous World Cup are missing: Nicolas Nkoulou, who has been left out, and Jean-Charles Castelletto, who is suspended for an accumulation of yellow cards. While the former is without a club after terminating his contract with Aris Thessaloniki, the latter continues to shine with Nantes. He even scored in the home draw with Monaco (3-3) last Friday in Ligue 1. Despite these choices, the head coach has opted for a degree of continuity by calling up a relatively young group.
Arthur Wandji
Here are Rigobert Song's 24 players
Goalkeepers: André Onana (Manchester United), Devis Epassy (Al Abha), Fabrice Ondoa (no club).
Defenders: Darlin Yongwa (Lorient), Christopher Wooh (Rennes), Nouhou Tolo (Seattle), Malcom Bokele (Bordeaux), Oumar Gonzalez (Al-Raed), Enzo Tchato (Montpellier), Olivier Mbaizo (Philadelphia Union), Harold Moukoudi (AEK Athens).
Midfielders: Zambo Anguissa (Napoli), Régis Mughe (Marseille), Gaël Ondoua (Servette), Oum Gouet (Yverdon), Olivier Ntcham (Samsunspor), Olivier Kemen (Kayserispor), Elliott Njongoue (Reading).
Forwards: Karl Toko Ekambi (Al Abha), Moumi Ngamaleu (Dynamo Moscow), Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford), Clinton Njie (Sivasspor), Vincent Aboubakar (Besiktas), Choupo-Moting (Bayern Munich).