Chelsea’s Benjamin Njongoue Elliot, Carlos Baleba of Lille, Montpellier’s Enzo Tchato and Boyomo Flavien of Albacete Balompie in Spain have been included in Rigobert Song’s 34-man provisional Cameroon squad for the the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier games against Namibia.
Njongoue,20, has been outstanding in defence for Chelsea’s U21s this season. The Chelsea youth team product has featured in 15 games, scored once and provided two assists.
He is joined by Lille sensation Carlos Baleba who has done so well in his first full season in north France as well as Malcom Bokele Mputu of Bordeaux, Enzo Tchato of Montpellier and Boyomo Flavien all as newcomers to accompany more experienced mates like Eric Choupo Moting, Vincent Aboubakar, Fai Collins among others.
Stephane Bahoken, 30, who has 17 senior caps but hasn’t been called up to the England squad since the after the AFCON 2021 tournament in Cameroon returns like Simon Omossola included on the list as one of four goalkeepers. Meanwhile, Jerome Ngom who provided the World Cup assist goal against Brazil and later moved to Belgium has been retained.
Cameroon will host Namibia on March 23 and travel to the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto for the reversed fixture five days later with hopes of maintaining top spot in Group C.
Goalkeepers
Simon Omossola (Saint Eloi Lupopo, DR Congo), Devis Epassy (Al Ahba, Saudi Arabia), Simon Ngapandouetnbu (Marseille, France), Mbahbi Marcelin (Gazelle FA, CAmeroon).
Defenders
Collins Fai (Al Tai, Saudi Arabia), Nicolas Nkoulou (Aris, Greece), Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui (Gent, Belgium), JC Castelletto (Nantes, France), Harold Moukoudi (AEK Athens, Greece ), Boyomo Flavien (Albacete, Spain), Darlin Yongwa Zidan (FC Lorient, France), Malcom Bokele (Girondins Bordeaux, France), Nouhou Tolo (Seattle Sounders, USA), Wooh Christopher (Stade Rennes, France), Oumar Gonzalez ( AC Ajaccio, France), Enzo Mbiayi Tchato (Montpeillier, France).
Midfielders
Jean Onana Junior (RC Lens, France), Malong Kunde Pierre (VFL Bochum, Germany), Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli, Italy), Martin Hongla Yma (Real Valladolid, Spain), Olivier Kemen (Kayserispor, Turkey), Steve Regis Mvoue (RFC Seraing, Belgium), Olivier Ntcham (Swansea City, England), Carlos Baleba (LOSC Lille, France), Njongoue Benjamin Elliot(Chelsea, England)
Forwards
Ignatius Ganago (FC Nantes, France), Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (Bayern Munich, Germany), Stephane Bahoken (Kasimpasa, Turkey), Karl Toko-Ekambi (Stade Rennes, France), Moumi Ngamaleu (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Vincent Aboubakar (Besiktas, Turkey), Georges N’Koudou (Besiktas, Turkey), Ngom Mbeleki Jerome (SK Beveren, Belgium), Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford, England), Danny Namasso Loader (FC Porto, Portugal)
