Udinese defender Enzo Ebosse returns to the Cameroon national team for the first time since the 2022 World Cup, ahead of Thursday’s home game against Namibia in Japoma. A much-awaited comeback after years marked by injuries.
It is a return that followers of the Indomitable Lions had given up on. Enzo Ebosse, the Udinese defender, is among the ten defenders called up by head coach David Pagou for the double-header against Namibia, according to camfoot.com. His last appearance in the Cameroon shirt dated back to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, as actucameroun.com recalls.
An eternity for a 27-year-old player whose career has been disrupted by serious knee injuries. Trained at RC Lens and having passed through Le Mans and then Angers, Ebosse joined Udinese in summer 2022 and won his first cap on 23 September 2022, in a friendly against Uzbekistan. He then took part in the Qatar World Cup, where Cameroon beat Brazil 1-0.
A path strewn with obstacles
In the meantime, the defender has had to contend with injuries. Loan spells at Jagiellonia Białystok, Hellas Verona and then Torino have punctuated his journey before a return to Udinese, camfoot.com details. These stages mark a career held back by injuries.
His return comes as part of a camp of 28 called-up players, all of whom have arrived in Douala. Captain Bryan Mbeumo, the Manchester United forward, joined the Krystal Palace Hotel on the evening of Monday 9 November, foot-africa.com reports. The first training session brought together 17 players on pitch A at Japoma, under the direction of David Pagou.
Ebosse savours the moment
The player himself makes no secret of his joy. “Since I left and came back, everything feels new to me, but I’m happy to be back. The energy is good in the team and we have the ambition to give everything for the team, to go to AFCON 2027 and win the trophy,” he told camfoot.com.
Among the ten defenders selected, he must now earn his place for the double-header against Namibia.
Baleba, an uncertain case
The other hot topic at the camp concerns Carlos Baleba, the Manchester United player. Taken off in the 51st minute during the 3-2 win over AS Roma in the Champions League, he is suffering from a hamstring injury and will miss both matches, according to camfoot.com.
Cameroon lead the group with four points, ahead of the Comoros and Namibia (three points each), according to foot-africa.com. The Indomitable Lions had not played in Douala since November 2023, when they hosted Mauritius, camfoot.com notes. The match against Namibia, counting for matchday 3, is scheduled for Thursday 12 November 2026 at 8 pm at Japoma Stadium. The return match will take place on 16 November 2026.