The coach of the National football Team, David Pagou has unveiled a 26-man squad for the upcoming international window, opting for a youthful group that contains several new faces but no player from the domestic league.
The Indomitable Lions will face Comoros on September 24 and Congo on September 29 in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers before playing a friendly against Côte d’Ivoire on October 3.
The squad is made up of three goalkeepers, 11 defenders, eight midfielders and four forwards.
Among those selected are some familiar faces, including Bryan Mbeumo, Arthur Avom, Danny Namaso, Karl Etta Eyong, Christian Kofane, Jackson Tchatchoua, Junior Tchamadeu, Che Malone and Samuel Kotto.
Mbeumo, who plays for Manchester United, is expected to carry much of the attacking responsibility in a squad that has undergone significant changes.
Pagou has also opened the door to a number of less experienced players. Lilian Njoh, Bill Nsongo, Harouna Djibirin, Roy Nyengue and goalkeeper Merlin Lako have received their first call-ups to the senior national team.
The inclusion of young players such as Christian Kofane, Karl Etta Eyong and Samuel Kotto further reflects Pagou's apparent desire to build a new generation of Indomitable Lions.
But while the coach has chosen to give opportunities to emerging talents, the list has also raised questions because of the number of established internationals left out.
Former captain André Onana is absent, while Nouhou Tolo, Christian Bassogog, Frank Magri, Christopher Wooh, Gerzino Nyamsi, Eric-Junior Dina-Ebimbe, Jean Onana, Olivier Kemen and Georges-Kévin Nkoudou are also missing from the squad.
Vincent Aboubakar and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting are also not part of the new-look group, while Carlos Baleba is unavailable due to injury.
The absence of Nouhou Tolo and other established players does not necessarily mean they were expected to be selected. Ultimately, squad selection remains the coach's responsibility, based on his tactical plans, assessment of players and vision for the team.
However, it is equally the role of the media and football supporters to examine and question the choices made by the coach.
No Home-Based Player
Perhaps the most striking feature of the list is the complete absence of players currently playing in Cameroon. All 26 players called up are based abroad.
This has already generated debate, particularly because Pagou himself is a Cameroonian coach with experience in the domestic football environment.
Whatever explanation is given for the decision, the fact remains that no home-based player has been selected.
Pagou's selection suggests that he is prepared to give younger players a bigger role in the Lions.
The likes of Njoh, Nsongo, Djibirin, Nyengue and Lako now have the opportunity to establish themselves at international level, while players such as Kofane, Etta Eyong and Kotto are being trusted to become part of the team's future.
For the coach, the immediate challenge will be turning this mixture of youth and experience into a competitive team.
The decision carries risks, especially with established names left out, but it also offers an opportunity to build a new-look Cameroon side.
The first real test will come against Comoros and Congo in the AFCON qualifiers.
For now, Pagou has made his choices. The players he has selected will have to provide the answers on the pitch.
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