Cameroon squad hit by injuries ahead of Zambia clash

Cameroon has suffered another injury blow ahead of their final 2018 World Cup qualifier tie this weekend against Zambia.

Fleet-footed Henan Jianye attacker, Christian Bassogog, is the next on the injury bench after Jean Pierrre Nsame and Ernest Mabouka.

As a result, Union Douala midfielder, Clarence Bitang, has been called up to replace him as the team continues to train in Yaounde. 

Bitang who has been featuring for the Intermediate Cameroon team played professional football in Thailand and Greece before returning to Cameroon to join Union. The 25-year-old played for Astres of Douala in 2011, when Richard Towa was head trainer.

Bitang’s inclusion brings the number of local players in Hugo Broos’ team to five. Messi and Abouem had earlier joined Frantz Pangop and Alphonse Tientcheu, ahead of the final 2018 WC qualifier tie in Ndola on Saturday.

Tientcheu and Abouem acclimatising Lions' Den

Young Boys forward Jean Pierre Nsame and Maccabi Haifa right back Ernest Mabouka will also miss the return leg due to injuries.

Other Intermediate Lions, Abouem Maya and Messi Bouli, were called up on Monday by Coach Hugo Broos to fill the vacuum. 

Abouem Maya is a defender with 2017 Cameroon Cup finalists, UMS of Loum, while Messi Bouli who scored Cameroon’s second goal against Sao Tome and Principe in Limbe, is an attacker with 2016 Cup champions Apejes of Mfou.

Cameroon will be playing for pride given that Nigeria have already qualified for the 2018 World Cup from their group. The first leg in Limbe had ended 1-1. Vincent Aboubakar scored a 48th minute penalty to cancel Collins Mbesuma's 34th minute opener on 12 November 2016 in Limbe.