Indomitable Lions coach David Pagou is generating excitement by calling up a squad of local players for a preparation camp from March 6 to 10, 2026. This initiative is seen as a strong signal in favor of developing local football and integrating young talents.
Journalist Charles Douglas Demba from Radio Balafon welcomes this approach, emphasizing that it demonstrates the relevance of choosing a local coach to lead the national team. According to him, the presence of young players under 17, such as Essinguila Mbinde from Best Stars of Limbe and Rony Baliag from Galactique of Douala, is a strong message to young people in academies: with hard work and dedication, they can aspire to play for the Indomitable Lions.
Demba compares this initiative to the era of Claude Leroy, who also trusted young talents. He notes that today, many young players leave Cameroon to join prestigious clubs, making it all the more important to give them a chance at the national level.
Pagou's decision to select 16-year-old players is seen as an act of courage and an understanding of the challenges of modern football. This approach could boost the performance of players in MTN Elite Football, the Cameroonian national championship. Pagou, known for winning the Cameroonian championship in 2020 and the Cameroonian Cup in 2021 with PWD Bamenda, is renowned for promoting young local talents.
This preparation camp, which will take place in Yaoundé, represents a crucial opportunity for these local players to get noticed and potentially join the senior national team. The list includes 30 players, including goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards. By giving local talents a chance, David Pagou is sending a clear message: the future of Cameroonian football is also being built with players who play in the country.
