Cameroon names AFCON 2017 squad despite player pullout crisis

Cameroon’s manager, Hugo Broos has named his 23-man squad for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) which kicks off in Gabon on January 14.

The Indomitable Lions team was hit by the decision of a number of first team players announcing their unavailability for selection.

With a little more than a week to the tournament, a total of eight players had opted out. But the Belgian went ahead to name his squad as he leads the team to vie for a fifth AFCON crown.

List of Hugo Broos’ 23 man squad for the AFCON

Goalkeepers
Jules Goda (Ajaccio, France)
Fabrice Ondoa (Sevilla, Spain)
Georges Bokwe (Coton Sport, Cameroon)

Defenders
Faï Collins (Standard Liege, Belgium)
Ernest Mabouka (MSK Zilina, Slovakia)
Nicolas Nkoulou (Lyon, France)
Michael Ngadeu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)
Adolph Teikeu (Sochaux, France)
Ambroise Oyongo (Impact Monreal, USA)
Mohammed Djetei (Terragone, Spain)
Jonathan Ngwen (FC Progresso)

Midfielders
Sébastien Siani (Oostende, Belgium)
Franck Boya (Apejes, Cameroon)
Georges Mandjeck (Metz, France)
Arnaud Djoum (Hearts, Scotland)

Attackers
Vincent Aboubakar (Besiktas, Turkey)
Jacques Zoua (Kaiserslautern, Germany)
Benjamin Moukandjo (Lorient, France)
Clinton Njie (Olympique Marseille, France)
Edgar Salli (Nuremberg, Germany)
Christian Bassogog (Aalborg, Denmark)
Toko Ekambi (Angers, France)
Ndip Tambe (Spartak Trnava, Slovakia)

Striker Eric Maxime Choupo-Moting was the latest absentee. He opted to stay with his German club Schalke 04. Weeks earlier, Liverpool’s Joel Matip and six others declined to play at the tournament in Gabon.

The others were Andre Onana (Ajax Amsterdam,) Guy Roland Ndy Assembe (Nancy), Allan Nyom (West-Bromwich-Albion), Maxime Poundje (Girondins-Bordeaux), Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Olympique-Marseille) and Ibrahim Amadou (Lille).

Coach Hugo Broos in a statement reacting to the players’ action said in a statement, “These players have put personal interest above those of the national team and the federation reserves the right to take action against the players in accordance with FIFA regulation.”