Cameroon name squad ahead of Asian tour

Cameroon head coach Volker Finke called up a 20-player squad ahead of their trip to the Far-East during the next FIFA window.

The German made several changes to the group that suffered a first round exit at the Africa Cup of Nations Equatorial Guinea 2015, where the Indomitable Lions finished last of their Group D after recording two draws with Mali and Guinea and a defeat to Côte d’Ivoire.

Recovering from injury, centre-back Nicolas Nkoulou and attacking midfielder Edgar Salli have been left out, as well as goalkeeper Pierre Sylvain Abogo, full-back Cédric Djeugoué and midfielders Georges Mandjeck and Patrick Ekeng Ekeng.

However, the most obvious absentee is Schalke 04 striker Eric Choupo-Moting, who is enjoying a great season in the Bundesliga but sustained an injury against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening.

After receiving a first call-up in 2011, which he couldn’t honour, former Espérance de Tunis’ centre-back Yaya Banana has been given another chance, while Coton Sport defender Moussa Bana and Sporting Gijon midfielder Dani Ndi could be making their international debut.

And it will also be the big return of Schalke defender Joël Matip, who last appeared with the Lions at the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014.

Cameroon will be facing Indonesia in Sidoarjo on March 25 before battling Thailand in Bangkok on March 30.