Cameroon U23 call up three Manchester-based youngsters as Olympic rebuild continues

Cameroon’s Under-23 side has included three Manchester-based prospects in its latest squad as the country continues rebuilding its Olympic team ahead of the Africa U23 Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Head coach Guy Feutchine has selected several new faces from the diaspora for a training camp scheduled from 23 to 31 March in Spain.

The camp, which will take place in the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz at facilities linked to Deportivo Alavés, forms part of preparations for the upcoming qualification campaign.

Among the most notable inclusions are three teenagers who previously progressed through England’s youth football system but have now opted to represent Cameroon.

Jayden Ngwashi, William Gueke and Douka Nkoto have all been named in the squad and are set to experience the Indomitable Lions environment for the first time at Under-23 level.

Ngwashi, a central defender born in Stoke, currently plays for the Under-18 side of Manchester United. At just 17 years old, his call-up represents a step up in age group as the coaching staff look to assess his potential at a higher level.

Even younger is Gueke, who is only 15 and part of the academy system at city rivals Manchester City. His selection marks a significant leap as he joins players several years older during the training camp.

Left winger Nkoto, born in 2010, also plays for the Under-18 side of Manchester United. His inclusion means he moves directly from England’s Under-15 age bracket into Cameroon’s Under-23 setup, underlining the federation’s efforts to integrate young diaspora talent.

Fast-tracking players into older age groups has previously been attempted within Cameroon’s youth structure, including at Under-20 level last year.

The strategy is widely seen as an effort to strengthen ties with eligible players abroad while accelerating their development within the national team system.

Feutchine’s squad also includes several footballers based at clubs across Europe. Defender Bryan Song, who plays for FC Metz, has been selected. He is the son of former Cameroon captain and coach Rigobert Song.

⚪️ Après avoir évolué avec les équipes jeunes de l’Angleterre, Jayden Ngwashi, William Gueke et Douka Nkoto ont donc décidé de représenter le Cameroun en équipe nationale U23. 🔁🇨🇲

👌👌👌 pic.twitter.com/3sAhjEer3P

— AllezLesLions (@AllezLesLions) March 15, 2026

Additional defensive options include Pascal Loulouga Mbome of 1. FC Köln’s Under-18 team in Germany.

Players trained in France also feature in the group, among them Alexi Koum from Valenciennes FC and Stéphane Noubissie of LOSC Lille.

The camp will also give the coaching staff an opportunity to observe central defender Rony Mimb Baheng, a former academy player at Olympique de Marseille who now represents Aubagne FC.

Cameroon’s technical team hopes the training camp in Spain will help them evaluate a wide range of emerging talents and begin shaping the next generation of the Under-23 side.

The longer-term aim is to assemble a competitive squad capable of qualifying for the next Africa U23 Cup of Nations and, ultimately, earning a place at the Olympic Games.