Indomitable Lions: The Begining of a New Generation

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The Indomitable Lions

What Squad to face the RDC and the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire?

The much awaited post Brazil 2014 list of the indomitable lions has finally been published by the head coach Volke Finke. Without any major surprise the so called perpetrators of disorder in the national team were conspicuously left out. The likes of Alexander Song, Essou Ekoto, Piere Webo, Jean Makoun and former captain Samuel Eto’o before declaring his retirement from international football, were all relegated from the list which they have been very familiar with.  In his vision to build a new team for Cameroon, the Head Coach has introduced new and young talented Cameroonians in the likes of NJIE Clinton from Olympique Lyonnais,  DONGOU Jean Marie  and BAGNACK Frank  all from FC Barcelona.

            However, the return of some names who have been less performant in the past poses a lot of questions as to what kind of performance should the faithful supporters expect from the lions. Leonard Kwekeu from Caykur Rizespor in Turkey, and MANDJECK, Georges, from Kayseri Erciyesspor still from Turkey are making their come back. This comeback after a long break should only be justified by their recent form in their respective clubs. Equally the inclusion of some players like Eyong Enow, new captain Stephen Mbia and Landry Ngeumo whose club situation is very uncertain at this 2014 transfer window is a course for concern.

The absence of key names like Henry Bedimo, Chedjou Aurelien or better still Allan Nyom from Grenada leaves many in doubts as no concrete explanation has been given as to whether it is an injury case or lack of form for their club sides.

Perhaps the most obvious worry should rest on the absence of Joel Matip, probably the best player of the lions now in terms of regular play and club form, who turn down the convocation of the head coach for these upcoming matches. It should be recalled that the 23 year old German-Cameroonian who has been with the lions since 2009 expressed his disappointment on the way things have been going on in the lion’s den and decided after the 2014 expedition in Brazil to reflect on his decision to continue playing with the Lions or not. Unfortunately for the Cameroonian population the Schalke 04 defender is still reflecting on his decision and so will not be part of the first two campaign for Morocco 2015.

Cameroonians can count on the experience of Marseille’s Defender Nicola Nkoulou at the defense, that of newly appointed captain Stephen Mbia at the Midfield, the enthusiasm of Aboubakar Vincent and the dribbling skills of Eric Choupo-Mouting at the attack line for results against the Leopards of Congo and the mighty Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire come September 6^th in Kinshasa and September 10^th in Yaoundé respectively. 

Champions Magazine Proposed Starting 11 against DR Congo

Goal Keeper                                              NDY ASSEMBE

Defenders                                               DJEUGOUE, Cédric

                                                                BONG, Gaëtan

                                                               BAGNACK, Frank

                                                               NKOULOU, Nicolas  

Midfielders                                            ENOW EYONG

                                                              SALLI, Edgar

                                                             MBIA, Stéphane

                                                             NGUEMO, Landry

Attackers                                           CHOUPO-MOTING, Eric

                                                                ABOUBAKAR, Vincent

Full List of 25 and waiting List

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I- Goalkeepers

1. NDY ASSEMBE (FC Nancy)
2. ABOGO, Pierre Sylvain (Tonnerre de Yaoundé)
3. ONDOUA, Joseph Fabrice (FC Barcelona)

II- DEFENDERS

1. DJEUGOUE, Cédric (Coton Sport de Garoua)
2. GUIHOTA, Jérôme (FC Valenciennes)
3. MATIP, Joël (Schalke 04)
4. NKOULOU, Nicolas (Olympique Marseille)
5. BONG, Gaëtan (Olympiakos)
6. BAGNACK, Frank (FC Barcelona)
7. OYONGO BITOLO, Ambroise (New York Red Bulls)

III- MIDFIELD AND ATTACK

1. ENOW EYONG -
2. MBIA, Stéphane -
3. LOE, Raoul Cédric (C.A Osasuna)
4. SALLI, Edgar (A.S Monaco)
5. ZOCK, Guy Christian (Cosmo de Bafia)
6. MANDJECK, Georges (Kayseri Erciyesspor)
7. KIBONG à MBAMBA, Marc (Konyarspor)
8. CHOUPO-MOTING, Eric (Schalke 04)
9. NGUEMO, Landry -
10. MOUKANDJO, Benjamin (Stade Reims)
11. ABOUBAKAR, Vincent (FC Lorient/Porto)
12. DONGOU, Jean Marie (FC Barcelona)
13. KWEUKE, Léonard (Caykur Rizespor)
14. N’JIE, Clinton (Olympique Lyonnais)
15. ETOUNDI, Franck (FC Zurich)

AWAITING LIST

1. KOM, Franck (Etoile Sportive du Sahel)
2. MOUGANG MBASSOGO (Lion Blessé de Foutouni)
3. BANA MOUSSA (Coton Sport de Garoua)
4. TABEKOU OUAMBE (APEJES de Mfou)
5. NLATE EKONGOLO, Brice (Olympique Marseille)