AFCON 2023 Q: Rigobert Song Puts Out Final 24-Man Squad For Namibia Double-Header

Indomitable Lions trainer Rigobert Song has trimmed his initial list of 34 players to 24 ahead of Cameroon’s double header against Namibia, in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers later this month.

The gaffer has maintained four newcomers who were pre-selected including 2-goal Bordeaux right back Malcolm Bokele.

Olivier Kemen, Flavien Boyomo and Njongoue Elliot are the other new faces kept from those pre-selected from the first roster aired earlier this week.

Goalkeeper Simon Ngapandepu of Marseille has not made the cut this time, and he becomes another casualty of players who made the World Cup, but have not made the 24-man squad for Cameroon’s first game post World Cup.

In defense, Rigobert Song has surprised many with the inclusion of Aris Salonique’s Nicolas Nkoulou, who has since the end of the World Cup, struggled with injuries.

Complete 24-man squad to pit Namibia in the AFCON qualifiers

Goalkeepers

Devis Epassy (Abha Club)
Simon Omossola(Saint Eloi)
Marcelin Mbahbi (Gazelle FA)

Defenders

Jean-Charles Castelletto (Nantes)
Collins Fai (Al Tai)
Nicolas Nkoulou (Aris Salonika)
Tolo Nouhou (Seattle Sounders)
Christopher Wooh (Stade Rennes)
Boyomo Flavien (Albecette Balopie)
Malcom Bokele (Bordeaux)

Midfeilders

Martin Hongla (Real Valladolid)
Pierre Kunde (Bochum)
Olivier Kemen (Kayserispor)
Njongoue Benjamin Elliott (Chelsea)
Olivier Ntcham (Swansea City)
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli)

Forwards

Vincent Aboubakar (Beşiktaş)
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (Bayern Munich)
Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)
Ngom Mbekeli (SK Beveren)
Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu (Dynamo Moscow)
Karl Toko Ekambi (Rennes)

Cameroon is in group C consisting of Kenya, Namibia and Burundi. However, on 23 May 2022, CAF announced that Kenya was disqualified from the qualifiers due to the suspension of the Football Kenya Federation by FIFA. The group is hereby chiselled to three teams, with Cameroon set to take on Namibia on the 23rd and 28th of this month.