Cameroon vs Namibia: Baleba out injured, Pagou recalls Ryan Fosso

The Indomitable Lions are heading into a decisive week in their qualifying campaign for AFCON 2027. Cameroon host Namibia on Thursday 12 November at the Japoma Stadium in Douala, then face them again on Monday 16 November in the fourth round of qualifiers. Before a ball has been kicked, coach David Pagou already has two problems to solve: Carlos Baleba is out injured and Mahamadou Nagida is suspended for the first leg.

Baleba injured, Ryan Fosso called up

It is a heavy blow for Cameroon's midfield. Carlos Baleba, 22, injured his hamstring on Tuesday 3 November during Manchester United's 3-2 Champions League win over AS Roma. He came off in the 51st minute, and Fecafoot have confirmed he will miss both games against Namibia. No timeframe for his return has been given.

Pagou has recalled Ryan Fosso to replace him. The Standard Liege midfielder, who moved to Belgium last summer, had been left out when the squad was first announced. A product of the Young Boys academy in Bern, he has also played for Vaduz and Fortuna Sittard. His more defensive profile should help keep the midfield balanced, where Arthur Avom, Danny Namaso and David Nyengue remain the main options.

The other absence is on the left flank. Rennes full-back Mahamadou Nagida was booked against the Comoros and again against Congo, and that second yellow card rules him out of the game in Douala. He will be available for the return leg. Lilian Njoh, who was taken off at half-time in Brazzaville, and Darlin Yongwa are the natural replacements.

A 28-man squad with five new faces

The original squad, announced on Monday 26 October, has 28 players: four goalkeepers, ten defenders, ten midfielders and four forwards. The number of newcomers raised eyebrows. Five players have been called up to the senior team for the first time:

• Karl Wassom, a 22-year-old midfielder at Riga FC in Latvia;
• Salomon Patrick Nkoa Amougou, a defender at RAAL La Louviere in Belgium;
• Geovanni Vianney, a 19-year-old forward at FC Copenhagen;
• Ivan Jordan Nana, captain of the Under-20 side that won the UNIFFAC tournament;
• Jean Hugues Eyango Priso of Colombe du Dja-et-Lobo, rewarded after his club's historic run to the CAF Champions League group stage.

The goalkeepers are Simon Ngapandouetnbu, Blondy Nna Noukeu, Emile Lako Wendeu and Edouard Sombang A Menang. In defence, the return of Enzo Ebosse got people talking. The Udinese player had not been called up since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Up front, Bryan Mbeumo remains the main attacking reference in a group that leans heavily on youth.

Two absences upset supporters. Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane is missing for medical reasons. Karl Etta Eyong was left out with no public explanation from the coach. According to Afrik-Foot, the Levante forward is coming back from around seven weeks out with a thigh injury, and the staff would rather let him regain rhythm with his club.