Cameroon manager David Pagou has recalled Carlos Baleba for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Namibia, while Christian Kofane and Karl Etta Eyong have been left out.
Pagou has selected a 28-man squad for the matches on 12 and 16 November, which will be the third and fourth rounds of qualifying. The group remains youthful, with Baleba’s return the main positive development and a significantly reshaped attack among the most notable features.
Kofane’s absence is explained by injury. The Bayer Leverkusen forward has been unavailable for several weeks after suffering a muscle problem in his left thigh during Cameroon’s previous international period. His club confirmed the injury at the time.
Eyong’s omission is less clear. The Levante striker sustained a lesion to the rectus femoris muscle in his right thigh at the end of August, but has recently returned to playing. He scored in stoppage time against Athletic Bilbao early last week to complete his side’s 3-1 victory.
Pagou has not publicly provided a specific explanation for leaving out Eyong. The most likely reason appears to be a decision to allow the forward to rebuild his match fitness gradually after almost seven weeks on the sidelines.
With Kofane and Eyong unavailable, Pagou will rely on Dorinel Yondjo, Nsongo Tonfack, Geovanni Vianney Agbor Ndjee and Ivan Cedric Bikoue Embolo in attack. Bikoue Embolo also replaced Eyong during the previous gathering.
Baleba, who missed the September camp because of injury, returns to a midfield group that includes Bryan Mbeumo. The Manchester United midfielder is again listed in the same area as Mbeumo by the manager. Arthur Avom, Danny Namaso, Harouna Djibrin and David Nyengue complete the options in that department.
Pagou has also continued to introduce new players. Karl Wassom of Riga FC, Patrick Nkoa Amougou of Raal La Louviere, Geovanni Vianney of Copenhagen, and domestic-based players Yvan Nana of Indomables and Eyango Priso of Colombe du Sud have all received their first Cameroon call-ups.
There is also a notable return for Enzo Ebosse, who has not featured for the national team since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Four years after his last involvement with Cameroon, the Udinese defender is back in the squad. Olivier Kamdem Wabo and Salomon Nkoa Amougou are the other defensive selections.
The approach remains focused on renewing the Lions Indomptables while gradually bringing back some experienced players. Andre Onana, Vincent Aboubakar and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting remain outside the current plans.
Cameroon will now look for results to support that rebuilding process against Namibia. Their previous gathering brought a 3-1 win over Comoros, a 1-1 draw in Congo and a 1-0 friendly victory against Cote d’Ivoire.
