Rigobert Song Alerts 36 Lions, Without Zambo And Ngadeu.

Indomitable lions head coach, Rigobert Song has published a preliminary list of 36 players ahead of Cameroon’s double friendly this month against Uzbekistan and South Korea, as the team prepares for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this year.

The list consists of four goalkeepers, 10 defenders, eight midfielders and 14 forwards. The biggest absentees are Michael Ngadeu and Napoli’s midfield maestro Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa.

For the goalkeepers, Olympic De Marseille young goalkeeper, Simon Ngapandounenbu makes the preliminary list for the first time under Song’s reign, while Canon of Yaounde goalkeeper Djaoyang James Bienvenu gets his first call-up. Meanwhile, Andre Onana and Devis Epassy maintain their slots.

The defence sees one of the biggest absentees, Michael Ngadeu who for the first time in six years, has been overlooked by the coach, whereas he is doing great with his club. Also, experience defender Nicolas Nkoulou gets his first call-up, since the Afcon 2017 final in Gabon. While the lights of Oumar Gonzalez of Ajaccio, Darling Yongwa of Lorient and Montpellier’s defenceman Enzo Tchato have been drafted in. The likes of Fai Collins, Olivier Mbaizo, Jean Castelletto and Nuhu Tolo maintain their slots.

The midfield compartment will miss Zambo Anguissa after being overlooked by the coach for the first time in close to five years. Also George Constant Mandjeck makes the list after being absent for close to half a decade. But the likes of Kunde Malong, Samuel Oum Gouet, Martin Hongla, Ondoua Gael and Onana Jean maintain their places.

The attack sees the first call-up of Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo who recently accepted to play for Cameroon, while Jean Pierre Nsame of Young Boys gets his first call-up to the den for close to two years.

Didier Lamkel Ze who recently for KV Kortrai in Belgium will still have to convince the technical bench of his qualities. While FC Porto Striker Daniel Namasso is another binational who has accepted to play for Cameroon, got his call-up.

Cotton Sports Patience Wassu is one of two home base players in the list.

Complete list

Cameroon will play against Uzbekistan on September 23 and then face South Korea I September 27 as part of the preparation for the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.