Before the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations final between Egypt and Cameroon, Vincent Aboubakar was just part of the Cameroonian team.
After separating the two sides with his winner that delivered Cameroon’s fifth title, in the 2-1 win over the Pharaohs, he became a national hero.
But current coach Clarence Seedorf is not interested in the past as he didn’t include the FC Porto striker in Cameroon’s final 23-man squad ahead of the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt due to injury.
The 27-year-old netted Cameroon’s winner in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations final which sealed a 2-1 dramatic win over Egypt to claim the fifth continental title for the Indomitable Lions.
Aboubakar has been part of the provisional team but he returned to full training in May after a lengthy spell on the sidelines following a knee injury in September last year.
According to Seedorf, Aboubacar was not fit enough and therefore has decided to omit him from his final 23-man squad.
However, Fenerbahçe SK custodian Idriss Carlos Kameni has been included into the final squad, this will be the sixth continental showpiece for the 35-year-old, who previously featured in the 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010 editions.
The 17-year-old teenage sensational Steve Mvoue and a number of other junior players have also been dropped.
Out of the 23 players in the squad, 11 of them will be making their debut at the Nations Cup, including Ajax keeper Andre Onana and Fulham midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa.
Cameroon are currently in Doha, Qatar for the second phase of their preparation with a pre-tournament friendly against Mali on June 14th as they target title defence.
The defending champions are pooled in Group F along with Guinea Bissau, Ghana and Benin, they will begin their journey against Guinea Bissau on June 25th, before taking on Ghana four days later and end on July 2nd against Benin.
Cameroon squad
Goalkeepers: Andre Onana (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands), Fabrice Ondoa (Oostende, Belgium), Carlos Kameni (Fenerbahce, Turkey)
Defenders: Collins Fai (Standard Liege, Belgium), Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic), Ambroise Oyongo Bitolo (Montpellier, France), Yaya Banana (Panionios, Greece), Gaetan Bong (Brighton, England), Jean Armel Kana-Biyik (Kayserispor, Turkey), Dawa Tchakonte (Mariupol, Ukraine)
Midfielders: Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Fulham, England), Georges Mandjeck (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Pierre Kunde Malong (Mainz, Germany), Arnaud Djoum (Hearts, Scotland), Wilfrid Kaptoum (Betis Sevilla, Spain)
Forwards: Stephane Bahoken (Angers, France), Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting (PSG, France), Karl Toko Ekambi (Villareal, Spain), Jacques Zoua (Astra, Romania), Clinton Njie (Marseille, France), Christian Bassogog (Henan, China), Joel Tagueu (Maritimo, Portugal), Olivier Boumal (Panionos, Greece)
