Cameroon get boost with Baleba back

Manchester United’s Carlos Baleba is returning from injury for Cameroon for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Namibia, but the Indomitable Lions will be without Christian Kofane and Karl Etta Eyong.

Coach David Pagou has selected a 28-man squad, including a berth again for Marumo Gallants goalkeeper Emile Lako, who received his first call-up in September when Cameroon beat Comoros in their opening Group G qualifier before going on to draw 1-1 away against Congo in Brazzaville.

The 22-year-old Baleba missed the opening two qualifiers because of an ankle injury he suffered in pre-season training with Brighton & Hove Albion before his move to Old Trafford.

Bayer Leverkusen attacker Kofane hurt his left thigh in the 3-1 triumph over the Comoros and has not played since and sits out along with Etta Eyong, who uffered a thigh injury at the end of August with Levante but has since returned to LaLiga action with two substitute appearances, and scored against Athletic Bilbao on 21 October.

Pagou did not explain Etta Eyong’s omission, but it could be he is giving him more time to recover from the injury.

There is a return to the squad for the first time since the 2022 World Cup for Udinese defender Enzo Ebosse.

The coach has handed first call-ups to Belgian-based Patrick Nkoa, teenage forward Geovanni Vianney from FC Copenhagen in Denmark and 22-year-old defender Karl Wassom from Latvian club Riga FC. Home-based midfielders Ivan Nana (Indomables) and Jean Hugues Priso (Colombe du Sud) are also included for their first time.

Cameroon host Namibia in Bafoussam on November 12 before the return meeting on November 16 in Gaborone, Botswana.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Emile Lako (Marumo Gallants, South Africa), Simon Ngapandouetnbu (Montpellier, France), Blondy Nna Noukeu (US Boulogne, France), Edouard Sombang A Menang (Colombe du Sud).

Defenders: Enzo Ebosse (Udinese, Italy), Olivier Kamdem (Levski Sofia, Bulgaria), Kevin Keben (Watford, England), Junior Kotto (Reims, France), Che Malone (USM Alger, Algeria), Mahamadou Nagida (Rennes, France), Lilian Njoh (Servette Geneva, Switzerland), Salomon Nkoa Amougou (Las Louviere, Belgium), Junior Tchamadeu (Stoke City, England), Darlin Yongwa (Norwich City, England)

Midfielders: Saidou Alioum (FK Jablonec, Czech Republic), Arthur Avom (Lorient France), Carlos Baleba (Manchester United, England), Harouna Djibrin, (Angers, France), Danny Namaso (AJ Auxerre, France), Ivan Nana (Indomables), David Nyengue (ES Zarzis, Tunisia), Jean Hugues Priso (Colombe du Sud), Karl Wassom (Riga FC, Latvia),

Forwards: Ivan Cédric (Alanyaspor, Turkey), Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United, England), Nsongo Tonfack (Deportivo La Coruna, Spain), Geovanni Vianney (FC Copenhagen, Denmark), Dorinel Yondjo (Lille, France).