Cameroon’s Coach Unveils 2023 AFCON Squad, Onana Returns, Choupo Moting Omitted

Cameroon coach Rigobert Song made some key decisions as he revealed the squad for the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals on Thursday. Goalkeeper Andre Onana, who had left the team following a disagreement with Song during last year’s World Cup in Qatar, was included after reconciling with the coach and contributing to Cameroon’s qualification for the Ivory Coast tournament starting on Jan. 13.

However, striker Eric-Maxime Choupo Moting, who has been with the Indomitable Lions since his debut at the 2010 World Cup, was omitted due to missing the team’s last three matches.

“Choupo Moting is undoubtedly a talented player, but my staff and I decided to maintain the continuity we’ve established recently. While he remains an important player, we had to make choices in line with our recent strategies,” Song explained during a press conference where he announced the 27-man squad.

Brentford striker Bryan Mbeumo will be absent from the squad as he underwent surgery on his right ankle earlier this month. Song also surprised many with the inclusion of 17-year-old Wilfried Nathan Doualla, who plays in the Cameroon league and is earning his first call-up to the national team.

Captain Vincent Aboubakar is set to make his fifth appearance in the Cup of Nations finals. Cameroon’s journey in Group C begins with a match against Guinea on Jan. 15, followed by clashes with defending champions Senegal and Gambia.

The complete squad includes:

Goalkeepers:

• Devis Epassy (Abha Club)
• Simon Ngapandouetnbu (Olympique de Marseille)
• Andre Onana (Manchester United)
• Fabrice Ondoa (Nimes)

Defenders:

• Malcom Bokele (Girondins Bordeaux)
• Jean-Charles Castelletto (Nantes)
• Oumar Gonzalez (Al Raed)
• Harold Moukoudi (AEK Athens)
• Tolo Nouhou (Seattle Sounders)
• Junior Tchamadeu (Stoke City)
• Enzo Tchato (Montpellier)
• Christopher Wooh (Stade Rennais)
• Darling Yongwa (Lorient)

Midfielders:

• Wilfried Nathan Doualla (Victoria United)
• Ben Elliott (Reading)
• Olivier Kemen (Kayserispor)
• Yvan Neyou (Leganes)
• Olivier Ntcham (Samsunspor)
• Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli)

Forwards:

• Vincent Aboubakar (Besiktas)
• Leonel Ateba (Dynamo Douala)
• Frank Magri (Toulouse)
• Faris Pemi Moumbagna (Bodo/Glimt)
• Francois-Regis Mughe (Olympique de Marseille)
• Clinton Njie (Sivasspor)
• Georges-Kevin Nkoudou (Damac)
• Karl Toko Ekambi (Abha Club).

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