“Time is Short, So Cohesion Needs to Happen Fast” — Yves Tsala on Cameroon’s New-Look Basketball Squad

Cameroon’s men’s national basketball team continues its reconstruction under head coach Alfred Aboya, who has retained only 50% of the squad that competed at the last Afrobasket. As preparations intensify ahead of the upcoming qualifiers. Aboya faces the challenge of building team chemistry with a group significantly affected by injuries and last-minute absences.

Among the notable absentees is William Narace, one of the team’s offensive leaders, who remains sidelined with an injury sustained during the Afrobasket. Also missing are Samir Gbetkom, a versatile and experienced defender known for his attacking play, as well as Paul Eboua, Luc Mbah a Moute, and Seini, who is currently in the United States for a special training program.

To fill the gaps, Aboya has opted for continuity, calling up players already familiar with the national setup to minimize the adaptation period. “Players will compete in their domestic championships until Sunday before flying to Tunisia on Tuesday. We’ll have only two or three days of training before our three games time is short, so cohesion needs to happen fast,” noted basketball expert Yves Tsala.

The list includes Aristide Mouaha, Rodrigue Tala, Roland Nyama, and Landry Nnoku, who returns to the fold as a pivotal interior presence in the absence of Yves Missi, currently retained by his NBA team. Two fresh faces join the roster: Gasper Abega, a product of the Biyem-Assi Basketball Academy now playing in Italy, and Ronney Ewanke, who impressed at the U19 World Cup.

Despite the limited preparation time, optimism remains within the camp. Coach Aboya’s gradual rebuilding project, launched in 2021, aims to blend experience and youth as Cameroon seeks to reaffirm its place among Africa’s basketball elite.

Cameroon’s Fixtures

27 NOV 2025-CMR VS CPV 

28 NOV 2025 – LBA VS CMR

30 NOV 2025- CMR VS SSD