Cameroon’s national football team, gearing up for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023, is grappling with the non-arrival of four crucial players for their ongoing preparations in Saudi Arabia. Franck Magri, Karl Toko-Ekambi, André Onana, and Nicolas Brice Moumi Ngamaleu remain notable absentees from the squad.
Despite the presence of coach Rigobert Song and several players in Jeddah for pre-tournament training, the team is still awaiting the arrival of key members.
Vincent Aboubakar recently joined the squad, adding depth to the Indomitable Lions.
However, the absence of Franck Magri, Karl Toko-Ekambi, André Onana, and Nicolas Brice Moumi Ngamaleu raises concerns about the team’s readiness for the upcoming competition.
Franck Magri, absent due to a consensus between the Cameroonian Federation and FC Toulouse, is expected to join the squad on Friday.
His inclusion comes after an agreement allowing him to participate in the Champions Trophy with FC Toulouse.
Karl Toko-Ekambi, contending with a lingering knee injury, is also anticipated to rejoin the team on Friday. However, uncertainties persist regarding his ability to partake in training immediately.
Nicolas Brice Moumi Ngamaleu, set to replace François Régis Mughe, who withdrew from the squad, is expected to join the team on the same day.
The situation with André Onana, the goalkeeper, presents a more intricate scenario. Erik Ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, has stated, “We are in constant discussions with the Cameroon Football Federation about André Onana.
However, the precise date of his arrival remains unknown. Ten Hag expressed uncertainty about Onana’s availability for the game against Tottenham on January 14th but affirmed his role in the Wigan Athletic game on January 8th.
As Cameroon strives to finalize its squad and fine-tune preparations, the unpredictability surrounding the arrival of key players casts a shadow over their readiness for the AFCON 2023 campaign.
