Song names the squad for the WC playoffs against Algeria but misses some mercurial names

The Indomitable Lions recently promoted coach Rigobert Song has handed his first 38-man provisional squad for the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup playoff double-header later this March against Algeria.

Former Liverpool defender and Cameroonian legend relies on the proven names and, basically, the squad that won the bronze medal at the AFCON 2021.

The tournament's top scorer and the captain Vincent Aboubakar leads the team, including another prolific striker Karl Toko Ekambi of Olympique Lyonnais.

Song has picked 14 players in defence, with Jean Claude Billong of Clermont and Sacha Boey of Turkish giants Galatasaray being the newcomers. Both players missed the AFCON because of injuries and now return to compete for a spot.

Swansea City midfielder Olivier Ntcham, who turned down a previous invitation in November 2019, is another of the returning options.

However, Song would have enjoyed seeing some more familiar names eligible to play for the Indomitable Lions that are out of the list for various reasons.

For instance, Anthony Elanga of Manchester United is the guy everyone is talking about lately. His father played for Cameroon, but Elanga Jr. decided he would engage with the Swedish national team and their U-21 side. Still, he can switch allegiance, but it seems his native land is not and will not be the final choice for the promising Red Devils' striker.

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On the other hand, Borussia Dortmund forward Youssoufa Moukoko, 17, born in Yaounde, has already made three appearances for the U-21 German national team. In hindsight, it seems this battle was lost for Song and Cameroon years ago, but there's still a glimpse of hope this outstanding talent will be a significant reinforcement for his native country.

Last but not least, there's also Joel Matip, 30, a totally different story than Elanga's and Moukuko's.

Liverpool's defender represented Cameroon at both 2010 WC and 2014 WC, but he later declined any further involvement with the national team.

SWANSEA - FULHAM

In January 2017, Matip was selected for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations but rejected the call-up. Matip cited his reason for retirement as his unhappiness with the national team and bad experience with the coaching staff.

With seven appearances at the FIFA World Cup, Cameroon face Algeria targeting the fifth appearance on March 25 at the Japoma Stadium in the first leg. Later, they're jetting to Algeria to meet coach Djamel Belmadi's Desert Foxes in the return game four days later, at the Mustapha Tchaker Stadium in Blida.