Clarence Seedorf drops China-based players from Cameroon squad

New Cameroon manager Clarence Seedorf on Monday unveiled his maiden squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Comoros on 8 September.

The former Netherlands international omitted two China-based players from the shortlist, claiming that the Chinese Super League (CSL) is not strong enough.

Beijing Renhe’s Benjamin Moukandjo, a former Cameroon captain, and Henan Jinaye’s Christian Bassogog, who was Afcon 2017 Most Valuable Player, have both been dropped from the Indomitable Lions.

The two footballers were key to Cameroon winning the 2017 Afcon in Gabon.

Seedorf: ‘Good players don’t compete in China’

According to Seedorf, good footballers play for the best clubs in Europe and appear in top competitions like the Champions League.

‘We want to focus on players that are playing in main leagues and main clubs. What we are not going to consider is that 20-year-old player who prefers to go to China and many other places which we don’t consider the main leagues today,’ said the former AC Milan midfielder.

‘Good young players don't compete in China or in Asia.

‘Players must understand that if they go after more lucrative contracts, then they forfeit their chances of playing in the national team.

‘But we're not closing the door on anyone, we want disciplined and hardworking players and if someone is in the Middle East yet he can deliver for the team, we'll bring him in.’

Ntep and Tamese get their first call-ups

Surprises in Seedorf’s shortlist for the match against Comoros include a call-up for 26-year-old Paul-Georges Ntep from German side Wolfsburg, who is set to switch his allegiance after playing two friendlies for France in 20015.

OGC Nice’s defender Adrien Tameze also received his first call-up for the Indomitable Lions.

Olympique Marseille’s striker Clinton Njie, who scored seven goals in 22 Ligue 1 games last season, was one of the surprise omissions from Seedorf’s list.

The Surinam-born tactician added that he has been talking with Torino center-back Nicholas Nkoulou about the possibility of making himself available for Cameroon again.

Even though the Indomitable Lions qualify directly to the 2019 Afcon as hosts, they are competing in the qualifying Group B along with Morocco, Comoros and Malawi.

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Cameroon squad

Goalkeepers: Fabrica Ondoa (Oostende, Belgium), Andre Onana (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands), Carlos Kameni (Fenerbahçe, Turkey).

Defenders: Collins Fai (Standard Liege, Belgium), Felix Eboa (Guingamp, France), Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic), Ambroise Oyongo Bitolo (Montpellier, France), Banana Yaya (Panionios, Greece), Jerome Onguene (Red Bull Salzburg, Austria), Gaetan Bong (Brighton, England), Allan Nyom (Leganés, Spain).

Midfielders: Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Fulham, England), Georges Mandjeck (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Adrien Tameze (Nice, France), Pierre Kunde Malong (Mainz, Germany), Edgar Salli (Nuremberg, Germany).

Forwards: Fabrice Olinga (Mouscron, Belgium), Vincent Aboubakar (Porto, Portugal), Stephane Bahoken (Angers, France), Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting (Stoke City, England), Karl Toko Ekambi (Villarreal, Spain), Paul-Georges Ntep (Wolfsburg, Germany), Moumi Ngamaleu (Young Boys, Switzerland).