CAMEROON look like they will be without Liverpool ace Joel Matip in Gabon after the centre-back declined the opportunity to join up with his country.
The 25-year-old has not played for his national team since criticising the set-up in 2015.
“The Indomitable Lions” have won the Africa Cup of Nations four times and reached the World Cup quarter-final at Italia 90, losing to Bobby Robson’s England in extra time.
Who are Cameroon’s best players?
Nicolas N’Koulou, defender, Lyon
N’Koulou trained at the Kadji Sports Academy in Douala, which also produced Cameroon and Barcelona legend Samuel Eto’o.
He made his Africa Cup of Nations debut in 2010 and was called up again for the World Cup in South Africa later that year.
The former Monaco centre-back has also played in the Champions League with Marseille.
Clinton N’Jie, winger, Marseille (on loan from Tottenham)
Tottenham player N’Jie is currently on loan in the French Ligue 1 at Marseille.
The pacy winger, 23, started his career at Lyon where he played with Manchester United’s Anthony Martial in the youth set-up.
He scored on his Cameroon debut against Democratic Republic of Congo in 2014.
Benjamin Moukandjo, striker, Lorient
Moukandjo is another Kadji Sports Academy product who now plays as a forward for Lorient.
He hit 13 goals in the French Ligue 1 last season and has also had spells at Stade de Reims and Monaco.
The 28-year-old had his first Cameroon call-up in 2011 and played in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Which Cameroon players are from the Premier League?
Allan Nyom, right-back, West Brom
How did Cameroon qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations?
Cameroon topped their qualification group ahead of Mauritania, South Africa and Gambia.
They did not lose a game and scored seven goals in six qualifying matches.
They are in Group A for the finals, with hosts Gabon, Burkina Faso and Guinea-Bissau.
Who is the manager of Cameroon?
Hugo Broos spent five seasons as a centre-back at Club Brugge before later leading the side to two Belgian Championship titles as manager.
The 64-year-old applied for the job of managing Cameroon after seeing it advertised online in February.
Cameroon axed his predecessor Volker Finke after disappointing showings at the 2014 World Cup and the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
What is Cameroon’s history in the ACN?
Cameroon were Africa Cup of Nations champions in 1984, 1988, 2000 and 2002.
Samuel Eto’o is the competition’s all-time leading goalscorer, with 18 strikes in the contest.
They were knocked out in the group stage last time out after failing to win a game.
They are the host nation for the next tournament in 2019 and will be aiming to go into the contest as defending champions.
Cameroon have qualified for the World Cup seven times – more than any other African team.
Their exploits in the tournament won them fans all over the world, particularly striker Roger Milla whose trademark dance at the corner flag spawned generations of creative goal celebrations in the modern game. His four goals at Italia 90 helped his side to the quarter-finals, making Cameroon the first African team to reach that stage.
What are Cameroon’s odds in the ACN?
Cameroon are 7-1 to win the tournament according to Sun Bets (get the latest). They are the second highest ranked team in their group after Burkina Faso, who they face in their opener.
But hosts Gabon will have home advantage and Guinea-Bissau are only three places behind the Indomitable Lions in the world rankings.
If they qualify as group runners-up they will face the winner of Group B in the quarter-finals. This could bring them up against Senegal, who had a perfect qualifying campaign and boast stars including Liverpool’s Sadio Mane, making it difficult to see them progressing further.