The Indomitable Lions will host the continental tournament with the hope of winning it for the sixth time

Cameroon manager Antonio Conceicao aims to see the Indomitable Lions reach the final of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations which they will host for the second time in their history.

The tournament was scheduled to take place between January and February 2021 but due to the coronavirus pandemic, it had to be pushed forward to 2022.

Cameroon have automatically qualified by virtue of being hosts and Conceicao – who took over the job of the national team on September 2019 after Dutch legend Clarence Seedorf was sacked, wants to reclaim the title they had won in 2017.

“We have automatically qualified as the organising country. We are taking advantage of this qualifying phase and these friendly matches to manage to collect as much information as possible about the players we are calling in terms of personalities and sports skills,” Conceicao told FootMercato.

“That’s why we’re changing six to seven players per roster, to see as many as possible. The goal is to bring together the best possible group for the competition with the objective of reaching the Afcon final, because we will play at home. Our responsibility is great.

“We know what the hosting and its success represent for the Cameroonian people. From that moment on, we must be well prepared to take up this challenge, because the demand is great, the responsibility just as much.”

There a number of French-born players of Cameroonian descent plying their trade in Ligue 1. Conceicao reveals contact has been made with players who are interested in switching international allegiance.

“We have other players playing in France on our radar,” Conceicao continued. “I cannot say any names, but we have already contacted young people aged 20-21 who play with the youth teams in France and have Cameroonian origins, to find out if they are available to come and defend the colours of Cameroon.

“Some are thinking, some have said no. We must be attentive to the breeding grounds in France and England, which may represent the future of Cameroonian football. We will see if we are lucky in this endeavour.”

Source: Goal.com

Goalkeeper Andre Onana and midfielder Pierre Kunde Malong won’t play in Cameroon’s friendly game against Japan on Friday as both returned positive test results for Covid-19.

Cameroon team doctor William Ngatchou revealed on Thursday in a press conference that both Andre Onana and Pierre Kunde Malong have tested positive for Coronavirus and won’t be part of the Cameroon squad for the friendly game against Japan at the Stadion Galgenwaard in Utrecht, Netherlands.

According to Dr. Ngatchou, the two players have been in contact with virus carriers for over six weeks although neither of them developed any symptoms, pointing out that In such cases a patient can’t test negative one day and positive the next as all the results of the players’ tests were negative last Monday.

Cameroon’s squad will comprise 17 players only

In compliance with FIFA regulations, the two players won’t be part of Cameroon’s plans for tomorrow’s game, which leaves coach Antonio Conceicao with a 17-player squad for the friendly, as three more players will miss the game due to other medical issues.

Onana contracts the virus a second time

This is the second time for Andre Onana to contract the infection as he had tested positive for Covid-19 in August and managed to recover.

The game against Japan is the Cameroon squads first meeting following the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak that put all football-related activities on hold since last March as the Indomitable Lions are preparing for the third round of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers group stage scheduled for November.

Source: m.allfootballapp.com

Cameroon’s Minister of Sports and Physical Education Narcisse Mouelle Kombi on Thursday announced the resumption of all sporting and physical activities in the country after several months of COVID-19 disruptions.

The activities must take place in strict respect of health and anti-COVID measures prescribed by the government, Kombi said in a statement.

“For now and until further notice, the number of participants for each sporting event must not exceed 200,” Kombi said.

All sporting activities in the country were halted in March when the government banned all gatherings in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The restart of sporting activities will now permit the country intensify training as it prepares to host 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2021 African Nations Championship (CHAN), officials said.

Source: en-brinkwire

Cameroonian midfielder Marcel Wamba Kepdep has been arrested in Mauritius after he tried to illegally obtain a Mauritian passport.

The 27-year-old has been playing for Mauritian side Roche-Bois Bolton City and was hoping to travel to Europe with the documents.

Kepdep remains in police custody after his provisional indictment in court.

One major advantage enjoyed by Mauritian passport holders can travel visa-free to the Schengen region in Europe for tourism and business purposes for a period of up to 90 days.

Mauritius’ Central Criminal Investigation Division (CCID) is investigating a network trying to sell Mauritian passports to foreigners, including African footballers playing in the country.

Following the arrest of three people in Port Louis as part of a police crackdown the authorities examined computer files and seized fake passports.

Among the documents were some that features photos of Marcel Wamba Kepdep, but under a different name.

Following his arrest the Cameroonian confessed he had approached this network to obtain a Mauritian passport before heading to Europe.

Football in Mauritius has been suspended due to the global Covid-19 pandemic meaning that many players contract’s will not be renewed as teams are having struggle to pay them.

Kepdep participated in the Confederation Cup last year as Roche-Bois Bolton City made their debut in the second-tier continental club competition with a win over Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy, before being eliminated by Zambian side Zanaco.

Source: BBC

Cameroon’s forward will be looking to restart his football career with Turkish side Besiktas after being stuck on the bench in FC Porto.

Aboubakar won’t be heading in unknown territory, as he was already loaned to the club for the 2016-2017 season. Vincent Aboubakar had brilliantly performed with the “Black Eagles”.

With 20 goals in 63 matches in his International Career, Aboubakar is regarded as one of Cameroon’s finest players.

Source: Africa News

The 31-year-old captain is a notable omission in Toni Conceicao’s final selection for their next international outing in the Netherlands

Former Paris Saint-Germain forward Eric Choupo-Moting has not been invited for Cameroon’s friendly match against Japan on October 9.

Choupo-Moting who is yet to find a new club after leaving PSG at the end of his contract in August, joins Dynamo Moscow’s Clinton Njie and Angers star Stephane Bahoken among the absentees in the 24-man team.

Young Boys star Jean-Pierre Nsame returns to the national team set-up after his goalscoring heroics in Switzerland where he scored 32 goals in 32 league matches last season.

The new invitees include Stoke City goalkeeper Blondy Noukeu, Germany-born midfielder Tsiy-William Ndenge, U23 star Samuel Gouet, Granada midfielder Yan Brice Eteki, Royal Excel Mouscron’s Serge Tabekou and ex-Bayern Munich forward Franck Evina.

The Indomitable Lions will be camped in the Netherlands from October 5 to 13, and they will play Japan at the Stadion Galgenwaard four days after their arrival.

Full List

Goalkeepers: Andre Onana (Ajax), Fabrice Ondoa (KV Oostende), Blondy Nna Noukeu (Stoke City).

Defenders: Ambroise Oyongo (Montpellier), Harold Moukoudi (Saint-Etienne), Collins Fai (Standard Liege), Jerome Onguene (RB Salzburg), Michael Ngadeu (La Gantoise), Joyskim Dawa (Valmiera), Ahmad Ngouyamsa (Dijon), Serge Leuko (Waasland Beveren).

Midfielders: Yan Brice Eteki (Granada), Tsiy-William Ndenge (FC Luzern), Jean Onana (Royal Excel Mouscron), Samuel Gouet (Altach), Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Fulham), Pierre Kunde Malong (Mainz 05).

Forwards: Serge Tabekou (Royal Excel Mouscron), Karl Toko Ekambi (Lyon), Franck Evina (Hannover 96), Moumi Ngamaleu (Young Boys), Jean Pierre Nsame (Young Boys), Ignatius Ganago (RC Lens), Fabrice Olinga (Royal Excel Mouscron).

Source: Goal.com

Indomitable Lions coach António Conceicao says he is looking to improve his squad by looking for new talent both in Cameroon and further afield.

The Portuguese has now been in charge of the former African champions for a year after taking over from Dutchman Clarence Seedorf.

While the chance to train with his players and play matches has been affected by the global Covid-19 pandemic Conceicao has been keeping busy.

“I’m in regular dialogue with Fecafoot (the Cameroon Football Federation) to extend our work to the youth national teams, to make the best of our experience to for those teams,” he told BBC Sport Africa.

“Finding and developing new talent and bringing them to the national team is something that will make Cameroonians proud.

“I’m trying to improve the network in the countries where there are big Cameroonian expatriate communities through personal contacts and I can then observe players that I have identified.

“We’ve also been reaching out to young Cameroonian players playing abroad that can end up playing for other countries, in order to try to bring them on-board and want to play for Cameroon.”

Planning ahead

Since he took charge, after their exit from last year’s Africa Cup of Nations in the last 16 at the hands of Nigeria, the Indomitable Lions have been limited to playing three matches.

October’s international break gives him the chance to hold a training camp and play a friendly against Japan in the Netherlands.

“We will have the chance to bring together a squad of players for the first time after a break of almost a year,” he said.

“We’ll bring the group together, and work on team spirit; exchange ideas with the players on what we want to bring to the national team.

“Also get to know and observe players who are new to the team; give players the opportunity to play for the national team, so that we can also draw conclusions and get new ideas for the future.”

In November the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers resume and although Cameroon have qualified as hosts they are taking part in the campaign and have back-to-back games against Mozambique.

Conceicao has admitted that the coronavirus pandemic has created new problems for his team and Fecafoot.

“There are a number of additional logistical difficulties in organising team gatherings, with the increased difficulty of bringing in players to Africa,” he explained.

“I don’t want to focus on the problems instead I have to focus on the solutions that despite all the limitations will allow us to work with Fecafoot for the best of the team.

“At the moment I am working hard with Fecafoot to try and improve training conditions for the team, working conditions in general, and the running of the team.

“Things are going well with the federation, and we feel they’re open to co-operating.”

He also insisted that taking part in the Nations Cup qualifying process despite qualifying as hosts is something he feels is important.

“I want to look at this situation as a way of improving the national team and bring in new players, so as to be able to have the best possible squad for the tournament itself,” he explained.

Conceicao is fully aware of what is expected of him and his team by the Cameroon fans.

It is a major responsibility, I know how important the national team is for all the people in Cameroon and the pride they have in their national team,” he added.

“There is the added responsibility of hosting the Nations Cup in Cameroon in 2022. So I am very conscious of the hard work and the difficulties that come with this task but I am very motivated.”

Source: BBC