Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa has decided to make way for Cameroon’s emerging young players after almost 10 years with the national team, bringing an international career featuring 67 appearances, five goals and two assists into a new phase.
The Napoli midfielder was one of the established figures in the Lions Indomptables squad in recent years. His time with Cameroon included a debut in 2017, his first international goal at the FIFA Confederations Cup later that year, a bronze medal at the Africa Cup of Nations 2021 and a place at the 2022 World Cup.
A missed chance to win the Africa Cup of Nations
Zambo Anguissa could have been part of Cameroon’s successful Africa Cup of Nations 2017 campaign. At the time, he was a young player at Olympique de Marseille and was considered for the final squad.
However, he declined the call-up to focus on his club career. As a result, he watched from afar as Cameroon produced a surprise triumph against Egypt in the final on 5 February 2017. The match was played at the stadium in Libreville, Gabon.
His international debut came only a few months later. On 24 March 2017, Zambo Anguissa made his first appearance for Cameroon in a friendly against Tunisia. The Lions Indomptables won 1-0.
First international goal in Russia
After making his debut in March, Zambo Anguissa was included in Cameroon’s squad for the FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia in June 2017.
He scored his first goal for the national team during the tournament’s second group-stage match against Australia in Saint Petersburg. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time with a clever lob, converting a pass from Ngadeu-Ngadjui. Australia levelled from the penalty spot through Mark Milligan after a foul by Ernest Mabouka.
Bronze at Cameroon’s home tournament
Although he did not win the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon, Zambo Anguissa secured a bronze medal at the 2021 edition, hosted by his own country.
Cameroon claimed third place after a dramatic play-off against Burkina Faso. The match finished 3-3 before the hosts prevailed 5-3 on penalties at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde.
Zambo Anguissa was particularly influential in midfield throughout the competition. He played six matches, starting all of them, and accumulated 559 minutes.
While he did not score or provide an assist, his work in the centre of the pitch was reflected in his defensive figures. He averaged 2.5 tackles and one interception per match, while winning 43% of his duels.
World Cup appearance in Qatar
On 10 November 2022, Cameroon manager Rigobert Song announced his squad for the World Cup in Qatar, with Zambo Anguissa selected as a key figure in midfield.
He played in all three of Cameroon’s group-stage matches. The Lions Indomptables were eliminated in the opening round, despite recording a notable 1-0 victory against Brazil.
Those appearances formed part of a national-team career in which Zambo Anguissa became one of Cameroon’s senior players before deciding to leave space for the next generation.
