2027 AFCON Qualifiers: The Lions Are Back

S ix months after the FIFA Series friendly tournament that fol­ lowed the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Mo­ rocco, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon are back in ac­ tion. Head Coach David Pagou has published a 26‑man squad that will defend the colours of Cameroon in the first two match days of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers and in the friendly against Côte d’Ivoire during the September/Octo­ ber FIFA window. He announ­ ced the list at a press confe­ rence held at the newly constructed headquarters of the Cameroon Football Fede­ ration in Warda, Yaounde, yes­ terday, September 7, 2026. Placed in Group G, the Indo­ mitable Lions will open their qualification campaign against Comoros on September 24, 2026 in Garoua, travel to play the Republic of Congo on Sep­ tember 29, 2026 in Brazza­ ville and take on Côte d’Ivoire on October 3, 2026 in a friendly in Abidjan. At first glance, the list looks surprising because of glaring absences and several new faces. Carlos Baleba, Christian Bassogog and Nohou Tolo were once again left out of the den, as in the FIFA Series tournament last March 2026, even though the stakes have changed. New faces include attacker Bil Nsongo, midfiel­ ders Harouna Djibirin and Da­ vid Roy Nyengue, defender Lilian Paul René Njoh and goalkeeper Emile Merlin Wen­ deu. Usual names such as Bryan Mbeumo, Christian Ko­ fane, Karl Etta Eyong, Samuel Kotto and Mohamadou Na­ gida, among others, have been called up by Coach David Pagou. Some players brought in during the FIFA Series tour­ nament were retained, signal­ ling a sense of continuity. Glaringly, no local player was selected. In all, a total of three goalkeepers, 11 defenders, eight midfielders and four at­ tackers made the final list. On Carlos Baleba’s Absence Coach David Pagou cited Ba­ leba’s injury and the need to give him more time to adapt to his new club (Manchester United). “Let’s give Baleba time to adapt to his new club. He is injured. We will be fol­ lowing him when he resumes league action,” he said. No Local Players “Homeâ...