AFCON 2025 qualifiers: Cameroon adds new talent as Younoussa and Avom join Indomitable Lions
Cameroon’s head coach, Marc Brys, has unveiled a 26-man squad for the crucial final rounds of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, bringing in new talents Willity Younoussa and Arthur Avom as they prepare to face Namibia and Zimbabwe. These young players, each making their senior debut for the national team, add a fresh dimension to the Cameroonian lineup.
In explaining his squad selection, Brys highlighted his competitive approach to the qualifiers. “We are not here to experiment in an official match.
Our objective is to win and finish first in our group,” he stated. Brys has retained the core of his lineup, with 22 players from previous selections included once again, emphasizing his commitment to consistency as Cameroon vies for a dominant group finish.
Fresh Faces for Key Matches
The two debutants, Younoussa and Avom, are joined by other first-time call-ups, including Darling Yongwa and Yvan Neyou.
This wave of young talent marks an investment in Cameroon’s future while maintaining a solid foundation for these pivotal matches.
Arthur Avom: A Promising Midfield Addition
Arthur Avom, 22, has risen swiftly through the ranks. His journey from Fauve Azur Elite FC in Cameroon’s top division to Ligue 1’s FC Lorient underscores his rapid development.
Avom’s recent accomplishments, including his standout performance at the Francophone Games, where he clinched the title with his team and was named the tournament’s best player, have boosted his reputation as a promising midfielder.
In the 2022-2023 season, Avom’s exceptional form earned him the title of “Revelation of the Season” in Cameroon’s domestic league.
His performances caught the eye of recruiters, culminating in his move to Lorient, where he has already clocked up 900 minutes and provided three assists in French football.
Avom’s recent successes show his potential to make a strong impact in Cameroon’s midfield.
Willity Younoussa: Defensive Midfielder on the Rise
Midfielder Willity Younoussa, 23, is also set to make his senior debut. Younoussa currently plays for Rodez Aveyron in Ligue 2, having started his professional journey at Dijon FCO in 2020.
He moved to Rodez in 2022, and his progress has not gone unnoticed. Younoussa, who represented Cameroon at the U17 level during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, now steps up to the senior team—a defining moment in his career.
Younoussa’s role as a defensive midfielder has become pivotal for Rodez, and he brings this critical experience to the national team, where he will have the opportunity to contribute to Cameroon’s defensive depth.
Squad List for AFCON 2025 Qualifiers
The Cameroonian squad for the qualifiers comprises experienced players and emerging talents, with a balance across all positions:
- Goalkeepers: André Onana (Manchester United), Simon Ngapandouetnbu (Nîmes Olympique), Simon Omossola (AS Vita Club)
- Defenders: Christopher Wooh (Stade Rennais), Michael Ngadeu (Beijing Guoan), Jean-Charles Castelletto (Nantes), Guy Marcelin Kilama (Hatayspor), Flavien Enzo Boyomo (Osasuna Pamplona), Jackson Tchatchoua (Hellas Verona), Nouhou Tolo (Seattle Sounders), Fai Collins, Darlin Zidane Yongwa
- Midfielders: André-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli), Carlos Baleba (Brighton), Yvan Neyou (Leganés), Martin Hongla (Granada), Willity Younoussa (Rodez), Boris Enow (DC United), Arthur Avom (Lorient)
- Forwards: Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford), Vincent Aboubakar (Hatayspor), Christian Bassogog (Al Okhdood), Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu (Dynamo Moscow), Frank Magri (Toulouse), Patrick Soko (Huesca), Georges-Kévin Nkoudou (Damac FC)
With the addition of Avom and Younoussa, Cameroon’s roster reflects both an eye toward the future and a determination to secure a strong finish in these final rounds of AFCON 2025 qualification.
