Cameroon-Nigeria: Karl Toko Dropped 4 hrs after call-up

Intermediate Lions’ trainer, Rigobert Song, has nominated Union Sportif forward Frantz Pangop T'chidjui to replace Karl Toko, less than four hours after the Angers forward featured in the squad to face Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

Frantz Pangop T'chidjui

Union are a club based in the economic capital of Cameroon, Douala, taking part in the top-flight championship.

Mr Rigo also called Manyang was acting on the instructions of Cameroon Coach Hugo Broos.

Though shortlisted, the 24-year-old left winger was a big doubt following injury sustained during last week’s 1-1 draw with Olympique Marseilles in France’s Ligue Un. 

The 24-year-old Frantz Pangop T'chidjui who hopes to make his debut as an indomitable lion helped Manyang’s CHAN Lions qualify for Kenya 2018.

The centre forward is the only domestic player among the 23 players called up for the double header early next month.

Coach Broos

Coach Broos disclosed the list of 23 during a press conference held Friday 25 August 2017, at 11 am local time, at Mont Febe Hotel in the capital city Yaoundé. 

Marseille striker Njie Clinton was omitted in the Cameroon squad to face Nigeria this September for the FIFA 2018 WC qualifiers.

Njie

Njie who netted severally at pre-season with Marseilles is reportedly injured. The 24-year-old was highly expected in the den after regaining form in France. He started off the new Ligue Un season very well, scoring 3 goals in 3 games.

Unfortunately, the juggler who scored to secure his side 1 point against Angers last weekend limped off prematurely with injury.

Hugo Broos lends credence to the goalkeepers who won the 2017 AFCON: Sevilla’s Fabrice Ondoa, Jules Goda of Ajaccio, and former Coton Sport shot stopper: Georges Mbokwe who now plies his trade with FC Mjondalen in Norway. 

Ajax Amsterdam sensation Andre Onana has become a no-go zone after telling Mr Broos he doesn’t want to play international football anymore. 

Dropped to the waiting list previously, Jean Charles Castelleto who just left Red Stars for another France Division 2 side, Stade Brest-Vingt Neuf, has made it big.

The 22-year-old fair defender who was on loan last season at Club Brugge, joins other new guards like Leuko Serge of Lugo in Spain, Yaya Banana of Panionios, and Nouhou Tolo of Seattle Sounders. They will pair up with the experienced Ngadeu Ngadjui Michael, Teikeu Adolphe, right-back Ernest Mabouka who recently joined Israeli club Maccabi Haïfa, and the dexterous Fai Collins of Standard Liege.

The Belgian tactician who turned 65 in April has also lent credence to the midfielders who travelled to Russia in June for the FIFA Confederation Cup. Siani Sébastien of Oostende leads this department, followed by FC Hearts’ Djoum Suitchuin Giles Arnaud, then Mandjeck Georges of Sparta Prague, and Njie Clinton’s Marseilles team mate, Franck Zambo Anguissa.

Prodigal son, Fabrice Olinga Essono who now plays with Royal Mouscron in Belgium, is back after missing in action. 

Olinga

The 21-year-old right winger is preferred to promising Panathinaikos’ forward Olivier Boumal, who is bound to observe an inconvenient break from the den, after the trip to Russia.

Maxim Choupo Moting who just switched from Schalke 04 to PL side Stoke City also graces the attacking front. And after admiring for a while, Mr Broos has beckoned on Young Boys’ 24-year-old forward Nsame Jean Pierre, who may make his debut against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

The AFCON winner has maintained prolific regulars such as latest hat-trick master Aboubakar Vincent, Captain and Jiangsu Sunning’s goal merchant Benjamin Moukandjo, fleet-footed Bassogog Christian and Moumi Ngamaleu whose impact is gradually being felt. 

This time around, the services of Jacques Zoua, former Best Stars attacker Jih Kalvin Ketu, and Adanaspors’ new signing Ndip Tambe are not needed. 

Team Cameroon travel to Uyo, Nigeria on the 1st of September before returning home to welcome the Super Eagles on the 4th of September in Yaoundé.