The long wait is just about over for the 2022 FIFA World Cup with five African national teams preparing to represent the continent in Qatar. Pan-Africa Football is previewing each African national team before the group stage takes place to provide a detailed guide for viewers and supporters of African football to refer to throughout the competition. Next up in our team profiles is 2021 Africa Cup of Nations hosts and 1990 FIFA World Cup quarterfinalists Cameroon:
Cameroon
Profile
FIFA Ranking: 43
Previous appearances: 8 (1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2014)
Best Finish: Quarterfinals (1990)
Schedule
Group G
November 24: Cameroon vs. Switzerland
November 28: Cameroon vs. Serbia
December 2: Cameroon vs. Brazil
Manager
Rigobert Song
Cameroon’s all-time appearance leader is one of the best defenders in African football history and his close relationship with Cameroon Football Federation president Samuel Eto’o played a major factor in Song’s appointment following the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. Song’s ability and inexperience as a manager has come under heavy scrutiny due to underwhelming results in Cameroon’s most recent friendlies and his experimentation with different tactics. The high expectations set out by Eto’o and questions about Song’s tactics have created an atmosphere filled with pressure ahead of a difficult group for Cameroon.
Song’s tactics have varied between a 4-3-3/4-5-1 and even a 3-4-3 which Song used in the poorly received 2-0 friendly defeat to Uzbekistan in September. Based on the players Song has selected in his squad it appears likely he will go with the 4-3-3/4-5-1 with plenty of forwards in the team, the majority of whom are versatile options capable of operating out wide.
The midfield selections consist mostly of players who operate centrally and Song’s midfield will include two technical midfielders like André Zambo Anguissa, Martin Hongla and Olivier Ntcham combined with a more defensive player like Samuel Oum Gouet who will hold their position. Cameroon favors attacking down the right flank due to the attacking quality of right back Collins Fai who will look to provide excellent crosses for star strikers Vincent Aboubakar and Karl Toko Ekambi to get on the end of. Toko Ekambi will look to move inside from the left wing to join the centrally positioned Aboubakar and the right side of the forward line will feature one of Eric Choupo-Moting, Moumi Ngamaleu and Bryan Mbeumo.
Expected Formation
Goalkeepers
23. André Onana (Inter Milan- Italy)
Appearances: 31
Overcame a battle for the starting position at Inter Milan to become the preferred option and was a major contributor to the Nerazzuri’s qualification for the UEFA Champions League knockout stage. Possesses excellent reflexes and is aggressive on aerial balls to go along with unlimited confidence. Onana was inconsistent at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon but now that he is playing regularly for his club, the graduate of the Samuel Eto’o Academy could make a major difference for the hopes of the Indomitable Lions in Qatar.
16. Devis Epassy (Abha FC- Saudi Arabia)
Appearances: 5
The French-born shot stopper earned the backup spot for Cameroon when he deputized for the suspended Onana during the group stage of World Cup qualifying, starting four matches to gain valuable experience. The journeyman at club level got his start in the lower leagues of France and Spain before moving to Greek and now Saudi Arabian football.
1. Simon Ngapandouetnbu (Marseille- France)
Appearances: 0
The 19-year-old rejected a call up from French national youth teams to join Cameroon’s senior team and is a prospect for the future with the Indomitable Lions. Has yet to make his professional debut at Olympique Marseille and will only be used in the case of an emergency.
Defenders
21. Jean-Charles Castelletto (FC Nantes- France)
Appearances: 12
Goals: 0
With 2021 AFCON center back partner Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui left out of the World Cup squad, Castelletto is the player who manager Rigobert Song decided to keep due to his strong club form. Does well in aerial duels and also has the pace to keep up with quicker attackers, making him a good complement to more aggressive center backs due to his ability to cover ground and recover the ball.
25. Nouhou Tolo (Seattle Sounders- United States)
Appearances: 16
Goals: 0
A scrappy left back with unlimited stamina, Nouhou was a part of the Seattle Sounders team that made history by becoming the first American club to win the CONCACAF Champions League and will participate at the next FIFA Club World Cup. A favorite of the supporters for both Seattle and Cameroon who prefers to operate at his natural left back position but can also play as a central defender in a three-man back line. Cameroon will count on his ability to shut down opposition wingers as he tests himself at the highest level.
19. Collins Fai (Al-Tai- Saudi Arabia)
Appearances: 50
Goals: 0
A reliable full back who can operate on either flank but should start at right back in Qatar. Fai contributes more to the Cameroonian attack than Nouhou on the opposite flank with his good crossing ability to take advantage of the aerial ability of striker Vincent Aboubakar. The question is whether the 29-year-old can fulfill his defensive duties on the right side in Cameroon’s 4-3-3.
4. Christopher Wooh (Rennes- France)
Appearances: 1
Goals: 0
Cameroon Football Federation president Samuel Eto’o visited Wooh in France to secure the commitment of the French-born center back to the Indomitable Lions and now he appears to be an option for the future who can contribute now. The 21-year-old looks set to battle with veteran Nicolas Nkoulou for the starting position alongside Castelletto. Wooh’s aggressive style of defending is a good complement to Casteletto but he lacks confidence on his passing and dribbling, making Nkoulou the favorite if Song goes with a four-man defensive line.
3. Nicolas Nkoulou (Aris FC- Greece)
Appearances: 76
Goals: 2
The former Olympique Marseille player returned to the Cameroon team for September friendlies after a nearly six year absence from international football, last playing when Cameroon won the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations where he scored the crucial equalizing goal in the final against Egypt. Nkoulou captained Cameroon at the 2014 World Cup and Song recalled the 32-year-old to bring his valuable experience to a young defensive group. He is the favorite to start alongside Castelletto and can also operate in the three-man back line as a capable handler of the ball.
24. Enzo Ebosse (Udinese- Italy)
Appearances: 1
Goals: 0
The French-born defender only made his debut for Cameroon in a September friendly match against Uzbekistan and adds versatility to the squad. Can play at either left back or center back and it appears that Song values Ebosse as a naturally left-footed center back for a three-man defensive line who can also backup Nouhou at the left back position.
17. Olivier Mbaizo (Philadelphia Union- United States)
Appearances: 11
Goals: 0
Brings plenty of stamina and determination to the right back position. It took a couple of seasons for the Mbaizo to develop after joining American club Philadelphia Union as a 20-year-old in 2018 but he has improved greatly, starting and putting in a good effort for Philadelphia during their close defeat to Los Angeles FC in the 2022 MLS Cup final. Likely to backup Collins Fai in Qatar.
Midfielders
8. André-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli- Italy)
Appearances: 42
Goals: 5
Zambo Anguissa is a stellar box-to-box midfielder who is crucial to Cameroon’s three-man midfield because of his contribution to attacking buildups and high passing efficiency. Is a regular starter for one of Europe’s most in-form teams as Napoli continue a dominant season in Italy’s Serie A, earning a permanent move to the club after spending last season on loan. The 26-year-old also plays an important role on the defensive end by blocking passing lanes and staying active to recover loose balls.
18. Martin Hongla (Hellas Verona- Italy)
Appearances: 17
Goals: 0
An outstanding performer for Cameroon at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations with his incisive passing, Hongla is an important component in the Cameroonian attack because he and Zambo Anguissa connect the midfield to the forward line. Excels at the technical skills needed in the midfield and will be eager to showcase his ability because his club Hellas Verona are currently at the foot of the table in Italy’s Serie A.
22. Olivier Ntcham (Swansea City- England)
Appearances: 2
Goals: 0
The French-born former Celtic midfielder committed to Cameroon in 2022, making his debut in the September friendly defeat to Uzbekistan. Ntcham adds to a technical midfield and is making a push to be included in the starting lineup in Qatar thanks to his good form with Welsh club Swansea in England’s second-tier EFL Championship.
14. Samuel Oum Gouet (KV Mechelen- Belgium)
Appearances: 21
Goals: 0
Oum Gouet is not a player who will stand out on the pitch but provides defensive stability to the midfield and maintains possession with his short passing. Started the majority of matches at the 2021 AFCON and appears to be the preferred option for Song as the defensive oriented member of his midfield.
For a more detailed look at Oum Gouet click here to see our scouting report
15. Pierre Kunde (Olympiacos- Greece)
Appearances: 30
Goals: 1
An ambitious passer from the center of midfield who has not quite fulfilled his potential with Cameroon when featured in the starting eleven. Kunde has featured almost exclusively in the UEFA Europa League for Greek champions Olympiacos this season and is a good option for Song if he needs a more direct player in contrast to Zambo Anguissa’s tendency to focus on keeping possession.
5. Gaël Ondoua (Hannover 96- Germany)
Appearances: 3
Goals: 0
Similar to Oum Gouet, the Yaoundé native prefers to stay back and hold his position to allow his fellow midfielders more freedom to move forward. Not expected to get much playing time but is an option to come on as a substitute to help maintain a lead.
2. Jerome Ngom Mbekeli (APEJES Academy- Cameroon)
Appearances: 0
Goals: 0
A pacey option who can play on either wing, Ngom Mbekeli enjoys running at defenders with the ball. As one of the few players on the squad who is based in Cameroonian football it is highly unlikely the 24-year-old will see any minutes in Qatar.
Forwards
10. Vincent Aboubakar (Al-Nassr- Saudi Arabia)
Appearances: 88
Goals: 33
Tied with Patrick M’Boma for third on Cameroon’s all-time scoring list, the 30-year-old only trails legendary strikers Roger Milla and Samuel Eto’o and the captain will look to build on his 33 goals for the Indomitable Lions in Qatar. A physically imposing striker who is an expert at scoring from crosses along with powerful shooting from either foot that makes him lethal in the opposition penalty area.
12. Karl Toko Ekambi (Lyon- France)
Appearances: 50
Goals: 12
Author of the famous winning goal in qualifying that stunned Algeria and sent Cameroon to the World Cup, Toko Ekambi has scored nine of his twelve goals for Cameroon in the last two years to become a player who cannot be left out of the starting lineup. The 30-year-old was second leading scorer at the 2021 AFCON, only behind Aboubakar, and is an expert at arriving from the left wing to utilize his devastating finishing ability.
13. Eric Choupo-Moting (Bayern Munich- Germany)
Appearances: 68
Goals: 18
The German-born forward is versatile, comfortable playing either in the center out wide in the forward line. Can be frustrating for Cameroonian supporters at times due to his inconsistent finishing but his form for top European club Bayern Munich this season is impossible to ignore. Eleven goals in sixteen appearances for Bayern in all competitions has the 33-year-old finding his stride at the perfect time but will Song’s most difficult question is whether to use Choupo-Moting in the starting eleven or as an impact substitute.
6. Moumi Ngamaleu (Dynamo Moscow- Russia)
Appearances: 41
Goals: 4
A capable set piece specialist for Cameroon, Ngamaleu has earned the nod over Choupo-Moting in the starting lineup over the last year because he is more mobile and thrives when playing out wide with his services into the penalty area. His club form has not been as good as Choupo-Moting this season but based on his ability on corner kicks and willingness to create problems out wide it is difficult to see Song leaving him out.
20. Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford- England)
Appearances: 1
Goals: 0
Song truly has a wealth of options at forward. With Choupo-Moting and Ngamaleu apparently competing for the starting position on the right of the three-man frontline, Mbeumo could very well sneak his way in after the French-born attacker committed to Cameroon and started both September friendly matches against Uzbekistan and South Korea. The 23-year-old’s blazing speed and good form for English Premier League side Brentford ensures that he will be on the pitch in Qatar either as a starter or substitute.
11. Christian Bassogog (Shanghai Shenhua- China)
Appearances: 42
Goals: 7
Spectacularly burst onto the scene during Cameroon’s winning run at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, winning Player of the Tournament. Bassogog has been used in recent years as an impact substitution who prefers to play either as a center forward or on the right wing where he can use his pace and dribbling ability to run at tired deenders.
9. Jean-Pierre Nsame (BSC Young Boys- Switzerland)
Appearances: 3
Goals: 0
A prolific scorer who led the Swiss Super League in goals for two consecutive seasons between 2019 and 2021. Nsame made his debut for Cameroon in 2017 but has only earned three more appearances since then due to the great depth up top. With five excellent options ahead of him it is hard to see the 29-year-old making many more despite his great success with the top Swiss club Young Boys.
7. Georges-Kévin Nkoudou (Beşiktaş- Turkey)
Appearances: 1
Goals: 0
Another former French youth national team player who committed to play for Cameroon in 2022, Nkoudou is the fastest player on the team and an excellent dribbler who could have a role as a substitute for Song. Can play out wide in the midfield if Song wants to switch his formation to a 4-4-2, something the manager has experimented with in friendly matches recently.
26. Souaibou Marou (Coton Sport- Cameroon)
Appearances: 0
Goals: 0
One of the two players in the squad who plays in Cameroon. Marou is a star for Cameroon’s domestic-based national team and under-23 side but it is difficult to see him playing any minutes in Qatar. Being with the squad is a good experience for Marou before he takes part at the 2022 African Nations Championship in January for teams using domestic-based players.
Outlook: Group Stage Exit
Cameroon’s attack is capable of carrying the Indomitable Lions a long way but it is unlikely they will qualify from Group G, widely considered a candidate for the “group of death” label. There are concerns with the Cameroonian defense that are best highlighted by the recall of veteran Nicolas Nkoulou after a long spell out of the team and manager Rigobert Song does not inspire confidence based on September friendly results and his coaching inexperience. It is difficult to know what to expect from Cameroon but it would be a surprise if they did not go home after three matches.
