Cameroon name five new players as David Pagou reshapes squad for 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers

Cameroon have left out captain Andre Onana and introduced five new players for the start of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, as head coach David Pagou continues a major overhaul of the Indomitable Lions.

Pagou announced a 26-man squad on Monday for three fixtures in the space of nine days. Cameroon will host Comoros on 24 September before travelling to face Congo five days later, with a friendly against Cote d’Ivoire scheduled for 3 October.

Onana remains absent from the squad, leaving Simon Ngapandouetnbu, Blondy Nna Noukeu and Emile Lako Wendeu to compete for the goalkeeping position.

The decision forms part of a sweeping change in direction under Pagou, who has moved away from several established members of the national team. Devis Epassy, Nouhou Tolo, Frank Magri, Christian Bassogog, Flavien Boyomo, Christopher Wooh, Gerzino Nyamsi, Eric-Junior Dina-Ebimbe, Jean Onana, Olivier Kemen and Georges-Kevin Nkoudou have all been omitted.

Nouhou Tolo had been Cameroon’s captain at the Africa Cup of Nations, but he is also missing from the latest selection. Vincent Aboubakar and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who were already excluded before the tournament, remain outside the squad.

Carlos Baleba is unavailable because of injury, while Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa has retired from international football.

Mbeumo handed greater responsibility

Bryan Mbeumo is the most prominent name in a squad increasingly built around younger players. The Manchester United forward is expected to take on an even more influential role alongside a group with considerably less international experience.

Mbeumo had already emerged as the Indomitable Lions’ leading attacking figure during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. His position in the team now appears even more significant as Cameroon begin a new qualifying campaign following a period of considerable change.

The latest squad includes five first-time selections: Lilian Njoh of Servette, Bil Nsongo of La Coruna, Harouna Djibirin of Angers, Roy Nyengue of ES Zarzis and Merlin Lako of Marumo Gallants.

They join a younger core that began to take shape at the Africa Cup of Nations, including Samuel Kotto, Che Malone, Arthur Avom, Christian Kofane and Karl Etta Eyong. In only a few months, Pagou has substantially redrawn the hierarchy within the Indomitable Lions.

Cameroon will have little time to settle into their new identity. The matches against Comoros and Congo will immediately launch their bid to reach the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Having failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, the team must begin the new campaign strongly and avoid another disappointing start.

The subsequent friendly against Cote d’Ivoire will provide a different level of examination for Pagou’s revamped side. It will offer the coach an opportunity to assess his new players against a major opponent after the competitive pressure of the opening qualifiers.

The scale of the changes reflects Pagou’s determination to put greater faith in youth and create fresh competition for places. But replacing so many experienced international players also carries clear risks.

Cameroon now have a group featuring unfamiliar faces, an attack focused on the future and an apparent leader in Mbeumo. Whether that bold restructuring delivers immediate results will be tested from the opening qualifier against Comoros.