Cameroon coach Rigobert Song has named three new faces in his 24-man squad for this month's World Cup qualifying double-header against Mauritius and Libya according to the Confederation of African Football Caf.
19-year-old Stoke City left-back Junior Tchamadeu earned his first call-up alongside FK Bodo Glimt striker Faris Pemi Moumbagna, 23, and 27-year-old left-back Leon Bell Bell.
The trio were surprise inclusions when Song announced his selection on Tuesday for the matches on November 17 and 21.
Key players like Vincent Aboubakar, Andre Onana and Zambo Anguissa were all included as Cameroon aim to book their spot at the 2026 finals.
But there was no place for Bayern Munich striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in the Indomitable Lions squad.
On the other hand, the comeback of players such as Ivan Neyou and Georges Kevin Nkoudou has raised expectations for these fixtures.
By calling up fresh faces like Tchamadeu, Song has made it clear that established names will need to keep performing to retain their places.
The coach guided Cameroon to a creditable showing on their return to the World Cup in Qatar, where they exited in the group stage.
Now the Central African nation hopes to continue its return to football's top table by sealing qualification for the next edition in three years.
Cameroon are in Group D of the qualifiers where they face Cape Verde, Angola, Libya, Eswatini and Mauritius.
Only the nine group winners will automatically qualify for the finals in USA, Canada and Mexico - and one team will enter the Fifa playoff tournament.
Meanwhile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the surprise omission from Gabon's 23-man squad.
The 34-year-old was also not available for his country as he stayed with Marseille while Gabon played friendly matches last month.
But Aubameyang has now been frozen out again by new coach Thierry Mouyouma for the matches slated for November 16 and 19.
Mouyouma recalled young defender Urie-Michel Mboula, who received his first call-up in September, alongside two new goalkeepers.
Mangasport's Loyce Mbaba and Anse Ngoubi Demba of fifth-tier French club US Raon-l'Etape are the shot-stoppers who received their first call-ups.
