By Angu Lesley Ngwa A
Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon
- Junior Baptiste Tchamadeu returns to Cameroon’s national team after missing out since AFCON 2023
- The 21-year-old Stoke City defender confident the Indomitable Lions can still reach the 2026 World Cup
- Cameroon trail Cape Verde Islands by five points ahead of their final two qualifiers
Cameroon defender Junior Baptiste Tchamadeu says he is “grateful” to be back in the national team and believes the Indomitable Lions can still qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Stoke City full-back has rejoined the squad ahead of Matchday 9 of the African qualifiers, with Cameroon sitting five points behind group leaders Cape Verde Islands.
Their qualification hopes were dented last month after a 0-1 defeat to Cape Verde in Praia, but Tchamadeu is confident the team can turn things around in their remaining two fixtures.
“I’m very grateful to be back. It’s been a long time away, but I worked hard to get back into the selection,” he said after training in Port Louis, Mauritius.
“It feels great to reconnect with some of the players I already knew. Everyone has been very welcoming, and I’m happy to be back on the pitch.”
The 21-year-old took part in a light training session with the rest of the squad on Monday, following their long flight to Mauritius.
“It was good to get the travel out of our legs,” he added. “Everyone is positive. We know how important these next two games are. We didn’t win the last one, but we fully believe we can win on Wednesday — that’s the spirit in the team.”
Tchamadeu, who last featured for Cameroon at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, has made nine appearances for Stoke City this season, most recently playing the full match in a 1–1 draw against Blackburn Rovers.
Junior Baptiste Tchamadeu has made nine appearances for Stoke City so far this season
He is expected to provide competition at both full-back positions, alongside regulars Nouhou Tolo and Jackson Tchatchoua.
Cameroon will face Mauritius on Wednesday at 14:00 local time, before returning home five days later to host Angola. The Lions will also be hoping group leaders Cape Verde drop points — either away to Libya in Benghazi on the same day or at home against Eswatini in the final round.
“Bring all your support for both games, especially the one at home in Yaoundé,” Tchamadeu urged fans. “These next two matches are huge for our country, and we need everyone behind us.”
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