Wilfried Nathan Douala: 17-year-old wonderkid named in Cameroon's AFCON squad

17-year-old rising star Wilfried Nathan Douala has received a first-ever call-up to the senior Cameroon national team ahead of next month’s Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON. 

Cameroon’s manager Rigobert Song named his 27-man squad for the continental showpiece slated for Cote d’Ivoire, with Douala the surprise inclusion. 

The talented youngster plays in his home country for the team named Victoria United in the Cameroonian top division.

Nathan Douala’s inclusion in the Indomitable Lions team marks a major milestone for the teenage phenom, who has become a social media sensation because of his age.

But the youngster, who is considered one of the brightest talents in the Cameroonian top flight, has caught the attention of the national team with his distinctive style in central midfield. 

Douala will hope to make an impact when Cameroon takes to the pitch against Guinea in their AFCON2023 opener on January 15th.

Meanwhile, apart from the addition of the Victorian kid, Cameroon’s Rigobert Song also sprung other surprises with his squad.

Song recalled Manchester United goalkeeper, Andre Onana, but has no place for Bayern Munich veteran Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in the team.

According to the former skipper of the Indomitable Lions, Choupo-Moting remains important to Cameroon but his coaching crew wanted to try new things.

“Choupo Moting is a very good player,” Song said per a Guardian report. “But my staff and I want the continuity of recent times. He is an important player, but we had to make a choice in line with what we have been doing for some time now.”

Cameroon who is without star forward Bryan Mbeumo, finds itself in a tricky Group C alongside defending champions, Senegal, the Gambia and Guinea.