Rigobert Song Bahanag did not advertise the list of players he pre-selected for the African Cup of Nations (CAN) 2023. But the Confederation of African Football (CAF) which had given until December 14, 2023 to receive the prelists, communicated it. An expanded list of 49 players, rather than the 55 as opened by CAF. Almost all of them, names already known in the den of the Indomitable Lions, notably those already summoned at least once by Rigobert song Bahanag.
In the goals, we find in addition to the trio of these last groupings which are André Onana, Devis Epassy and Fabrice Ondoa, Simon Omossola and Simon Ngapandouetnbu, who were already summoned at the start of the Song era, before being forgotten, without having been tenured. Among others Elliot Njongoué, Jérôme Ngom, Franck Magri, Faris Moumbagna, Oumar Gonzales, Junior Tchamadeu, Enzo Boyomo,… And even Léon Bell Bell who was injured during the last grouping even before the match.
The manager and selector of the Indomitable Lions has not forgotten his “favorites”, the subject of regular criticism but always present: these include in particular Nicolas Nkoulou et Olivier Mbaizo. The return of the first had already caused controversy and his name cited in theAndré Onana affairthe starting goalkeeper of the selection who was fired from the group the day before the second match of the Indomitable Lions at the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Léandre Tawamba who had missed this Fashion Cup, after having worked hard in the last elimination match, is on the list. Just like Yvan Neyou who did not appear in the selection these last groupings.
The only one missing from this group of infantrymen who conquered Algeria hard in March 2022 is Michaël Ngadeu. The central defender who had already been excluded from the group shortly before the 2022 World Cup, for a case of fighting never officially demonstrated, nor even judged, continues his penance at a time when Cameroon is struggling to reassure in the compartment where he found himself. illustrated as the best of the last six years, with the added bonus of his skill in front of goal (the man had been Cameroon’s top scorer at the 2017 CAN won by Cameroon). Between a Christopher Wooh who performs more and more in the position, without having the guarantee of being the coach’s first choice, and a Harold Moukoudi who disappointed at the last CAN in the country, there is Nicolas Nkoulou that Rigobert Song tries to impose; but who struggles to get along with André Onana, the titular goalkeeper. Faï Collins is without a club, but the man who has distinguished himself as a key piece of the defensive system, with proven offensive skills, is taking a chance. As Bryan Mbeumo that an injury kept him out of the stadiums until the beginning of January.
…and 7 premises
The technical staff of the Indomitable Lions opened the field to seven local players. Emmanuel Mahop of Coton sport de Garoua, the 2023 golden ball appears there. Rigobert Song will perhaps correct the harm caused in his time to Patient Wassou (Coton sport) the predecessor of Emmanuel Mahop who was not selected for the 2022 World Cup. Just like his predecessor. The other four locals are Warren Zidane Fotsing of AS Fortuna, Wielfried Nathan Douala de Victoria united, Léonel Ateba Mbida of Dynamo de Douala, Jean Eric Moursu of Garoua sports cotton and Franck Astana of Bamboutos Fc of Mbouda.
But belonging to this prelist does not bode well. The final lists will be finalized on January 3, ten days before the start of the tournament. The final list will be established on the basis of this pre-list. Clearly, those absent from this prelist no longer have any chance of being part of the Ivory Coast next January.
