Asante Kotoko star man, Franck Thierry Etouga Mbella has been handed his first Cameroon senior call-up.
The 20-year-old striker has been officially informed to join up with the Indomitable Lions squad from May 30 when they gather to kick-start their campaign in the qualifiers to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
Mbella – who became an instant hit in his debut season in the Ghana Premier League – has impressively scored 19 goals in 24 appearances for the league-leading Porcupine Warriors.
This top-scoring form convinced Cameroon coach Rigobert Song to list the native of Yaoundé in his 34-man squad for the Afcon qualifying games against Kenya and Burundi in June.
“Within the framework of the qualification matches for Afcon 2023, Ivory Coast, Cameroon’s national team will play official matches during the Fifa break starting from 30th of May to 14th June 2022:
4th June 2022, Cameroon vs Kenya
8th June 2022, Burundi vs Cameroon
“In this perspective, a preparatory training camp will be held during the aforementioned Fifa break which runs from 30th May to 14th June.
“In view of the above, we hereby inform you that you have been selected to take part in the said meetings. You are kindly requested to make all the necessary arrangements to ensure your presence,” an invitation letter to Mbella through Asante Kotoko read.
Mbella was a member of the Cameroon squad that qualified for the 2021 U-20 Afcon hosted by Mauritania. He registered a goal and an assist in the UNIFFAC zonal qualifying competition but missed out on the final squad for the tournament which was eventually won by Ghana’s Black Satellites.
He now has his chance at the senior level, a great opportunity to stake a claim for a spot that could see him at the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar as well.
PROFILED: Franck Etouga Mbella is second Cameroonian signing by Kotoko
