Indomitable Lions : Nkoulou and Mandjeck named in Cameroon’s 26-man squad ahead of World Cup friendly

The 32-year-old defender will make his return to the national team after he had previously announced his international retirement in 2017 when he won the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

Nkoulou isn’t the only Cameroonian player to make a comeback in the team. Georges Constant Mandjeck with whom he won the AFCON 5 years ago with has also been recalled by Rigobert Song.

Although the choice of the pair has been questioned, Song who has played at four World Cup finals believes he could use their experience and insist  their chances of featuring at the 2022 World Cup remains ‘possible’.

“We need these players so that they can bring something to the new generation”-Song said during a press conference on Monday, September 12 at the headquarters of the Cameroon Football Federation, Fecafoot.

“There is no age in football. We speak more of experience. I think these two whether Mandjeck or Nicolas Nkoulou, we need their experience”.

“Both of them are Cameroonians and today if they want to serve their country, knowing they are still active, why not give them the chance. We’ll see if they can be part of the group that will go to Qatar in November. I think it is possible”.

Brentford forward Byran Mbeumo has also been included in the squad and is set to make his debut. The former French youth international who switched allegiance to Cameroon is among 7 forward selected for the pair of friendlies alongside regulars Toko Ekambi, Vincent Aboubakar, Moumi Ngamaleu, Leandre Tawamba and Young Boys forward Jean-Pierre Nsame who’s returning to the den as well.

Marseille’s 19-year-old goalkeeper Simon Ngapandouetnbu has been given a chance to prove himself in between the sticks but face stiff rivalry from Epassy Devis and Andre Onana who-Song out rightly declared was the first choice keeper.

Eric Maxim Choupo Moting is the most notable absentee in the list but the decision to keep him out is because he is recovery from injury, the coach said.

Cameroon is gearing up for a decent outing at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar this year. The 1990 World Cup quarter-finalist have arranged two friendlies games to prepare for the tournament scheduled to run from November 20-December 18, 2022.

They will face Uzbekistan on September 23, before challenging World Cup bound South Korea four days later in Seoul.

Cameroon is drawn in group G of the 2022 FIFA World Cup alongside five-time champions Brazil, Serbia and Switzerland.

Full team

Goalkeepers Simon Ngapandouetnbu(Olympic de Marseille), Epassy Devis( Abha Sport Club), Onana Andre(Inter de Milan)

Defenders  Fai Collins ( Al-Tai), Mbaizo Olivier( Philadelphia Union), Nicolas Nkoulou(Aris Salonique FC), Castelleto Jean-Charles(FC Nantes), Nouhou Tolo(Seattle Sounders FC), Darlin Yongwa(FC Lorient), Ebosse Enzo(Udinese Calcio), Oumar Gonzalez(AC Ajaccio), Wooh Christopher( RC Lens)

Midfield  Onana Jean Junior(RC Lens), Kunde Malong( Olympiakos Piree), Oum Gouet Samuel(FC Malines), Hongla Yma II Martin(Hellas Verona), Ntcham Olivier(Swansea), Mandjeck George(NeasalaminaFamagouste), Ondoua Gael(Hannover 96)

Forward : Mbeumo Bryan(Brentford), Nkoudou George(Besiktas Istanbul), Toko-Ekambi Karl (Lyon), Ngamaleu Moumi(Dynamo Moscou), Aboubakar Vincent(Al-Nassr FC) Tawamba Leandre(Al-Taawoun FC), Nsame Jean-Pierre (BSC Young Boys)

 
IYA Ibrahima (intern)