David Pagou Unveils Cameroon Squad for September AFCON Pamoja Qualifiers Without Usual Suspects

David Pagou has named a 26-man Cameroon squad for the September 2027 AFCON Pamoja qualifiers, with Bryan Mbeumo headlining a group that includes several fresh faces and notable omissions from the usual pool this Monday, September 7, at the FA headquarters in Warda.

His young team pits Comoros and Congo, in the qualifiers for the 2027 Pamoja Africa Cup of Nations, without some usual suspects: Zambo Anguissa, who is retired from international football – Carlos Baleba (injured); Andre Onana, Devis Epassy, Simon Omossola, Christian Bassogog and Nouhou Tolo amongst others.

The head coach also maintained the same group for a friendly against Côte d’Ivoire on October 3.

Cameroon will open its AFCON qualifiers campaign against Comoros in Yaoundé on September 24, 2026, before travelling to Brazzaville for the return assignment against Congo on September 29. The two matches will count as the first and second rounds of the 2027 Pamoja AFCON qualifiers.

They then turn their attention to Côte d’Ivoire in a friendly on October 3, providing a full-scale test ahead of the next phase of the campaign.

David Pagou has built his squad around emerging talents. Three goalkeepers have been called up, including Simon Brady Ngapandouetnbu of Montpellier, alongside Blondy Rudolph Nna Noukeu and Emile Merlin Lako Wendeu, who plays for South African club Marumo Gallants. The defensive department features 11 players, a number that reflects the coach’s desire to shore up the backline before embarking on the qualifying campaign.

Only four out-and-out forwards have been selected. Christian Michel Kofane, who plays for Bayer Leverkusen, carries much of the attacking expectation alongside Karl Edouard Blaise Etta Eyong and Dorinel Angel Yondjo. Frankly, more numbers would have been expected in this compartment for a country that has traditionally prided itself on its attacking depth.

Mbeumo, the established star in a squad still finding its identity

Bryan Mbeumo remains the standout name in the squad. The Manchester United forward gives the group a more international profile, while his Premier League experience should naturally add quality and balance to the team. Around him, though, the squad still looks like a work in progress.

It is difficult not to view this as a transitional squad. From players based in Tunisia, such as Mael Fernandez Monyebe of Espérance de Tunis, to those competing in less prominent leagues, the coach has brought together a wide range of profiles without necessarily settling on a clearly defined core. That raises questions with important fixtures on the horizon.

The midfield, with eight players selected, is the most heavily represented area of the squad. It will be expected to provide the platform for Cameroon to overcome Comoros and Congo — two sides that may not be considered favourites on paper, but have shown in the past that they can cause problems for the Indomitable Lions.

The first verdict will come on September 24 in Yaoundé. The matches that follow will determine whether Pagou’s selections can deliver on their promise or whether the coach will need to rethink his plans before the AFCON campaign gathers pace.

Goalkeepers

1. Simon Brady NGAPANDOUETNBU (Montpellier HSC – France)
2. Blondy Rudolph NNA NOUKEU (US Boulogne – France)
3. Emile Merlin LAKO WENDEU (Marumo Gallants FC – South Africa)

DÉFENSEURS

4. Darlin YONGWA (Norwich – England)
5. MAHAMADOU NAGIDA (Rennes – France)
6. Junior Samuel KOTTO (Stade de Reims – France)
7. Emmanuel MOUNGAM A NGON (Landskrona Sweden)
8. TCHATCHOUA Jackson (Wolverhampton – England)
9. Stéphane Paul KELLER (SK Beveren – Belgium)
10. CHE MALONE FONDOH Junior (UMS Alger – Algeria)
11. Kevin KEBEN (FC Watford – England)
12. Duplex TCHAMBA BANGOU (Clube do Remo – Brazil)
13. Lilian Paul René NJOH (Servette FC – Switzerland)
14. Junior Baptiste TCHAMADEU (Stoke City – England)

MIDFIELD

15. SAIDOU ALIOUM MOUBARAK (FK Jablonec – Czech Republic)
16. Arthur AVOM (FC Lorient – France)
17. DONFACK Ryan Gloire FOSSO (Standard de Liège – Belgium)
18. Bryan MBEUMO (Manchester United – England)
19. Mael Fernandez MONYEBE (Espérance de Tunis – Tunisia)
20. Danny Namaso (AJ Auxerre – France)
21. HAROUNA DJIBIRIN (Angers SCO – France)
22. David Roy NYENGUE (Espérance sportive de Zarzis – Tunisia)

Forwards

23. Karl Edouard Blaise ETTA EYONG (UD Levante – Spain)
24. Dorinel Angel YONDJO (LOSC Lille – France)
25. NSONGO TONFACK Bil Dornol (Deportivo la Corogne – Spain)
26. Christian Michel KOFANE (Bayer 04 Leverkusen – Allemagne)