Absences, doubts plague Broos’ Lions debut

The Indomitable Lions face Bafana Bafana on March 26, 2016 at the Limbe Omnisport Stadium with Hugos Broos’ team depleted due to absences, injuries, suspensions and the problem of choice of which national team to play for.

This dilemma creates a new dimension to the game as the depth of both teams is tested in a decisive battle.

Cameroon are five points shy of Bafana Bafana in Group M of the 2017 Nations Cup qualifiers, and need a win to keep their hopes alive of reaching Gabon next year.

After a promising start, injuries, absences and doubts have taken a toll, but excuses are not what Cameroonians expect from the Belgian tactician right now. However, Hugo Broos has to do without veteran goalkeeper Carlos Kameni who had to undergo knee surgery.

He is also without Tottenham Hotspur attacker Clinton N'Jie (injured) and Eyong Enoh (injured), Joel Matip who refused to play and Vincent Aboubakar (one match suspension) are all out, leaving Cameroon with holes across their entire squad.

Also, star forward Vincent Aboubakar, of FC Porto, is suspended for the first game against Bafana Bafana.

For a team to competitively challenge to maintain the top spot, plagues of missing players do not suffice.

Meanwhile, there are doubts regarding the fitness of Schalke midfielder Eric Choupo-Moting and France-based striker Benjamin Moukandjo, who have both been injured in recent weeks. The fitness of both players to take part in the first game is still questionable.

Another case is that of Crew SC midfielder Tony Tchani, who is in the mix to play for Cameroon. Though Tchani has yet to play a game for Cameroon, where he was born, it is clear the naturalised US citizen is considered part of that nation’s player pool.

He took part in the US pool last month, when he was called into the US team’s annual January camp and made his US debut in a friendly against Iceland on January 31, 2016.

At some point, Tchani will have to choose which nation he will represent. Because his US appearance came in a friendly, it did not tie him to the American team.

Alexandre Song’s return is also a doubt. Broos said he has met with the West Ham midfielder: “I was in London, and I discussed with Alexandre Song. I tried to convince him to return, but it is up to him to make the final decision. I want players who have the desire and motivation,” the Lions’ coach said.

Unlike Alexandre Song, Joel Matip, was not called. But Hugo Broos has informed reporters that Schalke 04 defender does not want to play for the Indomitable Lions.

“I spoke with Joel Matip, and I feel that he was not motivated to come. For his case, he will remain with his European club. I want my players to be motivated and focused,” he explained.

This shows a new side of Cameroon in these two games with little experience. Seven new players, including one local player and two comebacks made up the 27-man squad. There is also the arrival of three new players who are called up for the very first time to the national selection namely; Abang Anatole, Toko Karl and Teikeu Adolphe.

However, with such a dearth of first team players available, Broos has a difficult debut to make, he will have to look to the youngsters, and they may prove to be the spark the club needs for not only these back to back games, but also its quest for redemption.