Finke's dropped Lions

We take a look at the players dropped by Volker Finke ahead of next month's 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against The Gambia.

Few surprises were expected from Volker Finke when he unveiled the 23 Lions for next month's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against The Gambia in Banjul.

The returns of Joel Matip and Allan Nyom, since the 2014 Worl Cup, were expected to happen at some stage. Sebastien Bassong is just rewarded for putting up strong performances with Norwich City after their return to the Premier League while Jacques Zoua was always expected to return once administrative procedures regarding his age were all settled. Ajax backup goalkeeper Andre Onana has been tipped for greatness, no wonder he earned a first call to the den at the expense of  Tonnerre of Yaounde's Pierre Abogo.

Face down:Abogo is paying the price of his club's poor form

Abogo is paying the price for his team's poor form in the Cameroon Professional League as they are already doomed for relegation. Head Coach Volker Finke has finally bowed to pressure to drop the keeper in favour of Ndy Assembe, who has had a fine start to the season with Nancy and Onana as understudies to Fabrice Ondoua.

In defence, there was no space for Jerome Guihota, Yaya Banana and Ngweni Ndasi who were all dropped for Joel Matip, Seb Bassong and Allan Nyom. Guihota has not been match fit for his Israeli side Maccabi Haifa, so he is logically dropped. On his part, Yaya Banana will feel hard done by after featuring for the Lions in the Asian tour in March- the 24-year old centre back did not certainly convince Finke. Unisport of Bafang's Ngweni Ndasi had to settle for a place on the waiting list despite scoring against Thailand in the Asian tour.

Guihota has not played for his club since the start of the season

In the middle of the park, Guy Zock of Cosmos of Bafia could only settle for a place on the waiting list while Frank Kom's injury means he is completely sidelined.

Upfront, Finke could not find a place for Justin Megolo who featured against the DR Congo and Burkina Faso friendlies in May. The German tactician however heed to pressure and dropped Franck Etoundi to the waiting list. Etoundi, brother of team captain Stephane Mbia has enjoyed Finke's backing despite criticism from the media after failing to live up to the billing. It therefore makes sense he has made way for Jacques Zoua.

Franck Etoundi was dropped to the waiting list

Finke pulled another surprise by dropping Salli Edgard to the waiting list. The former Cotonsport player has been a favourite for the German who even placed him above Clinton Njie in the pecking order the the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. Dropping the winger could however be a wake up call for him.

Cameroon would assemble in Senegal from September 1 where they would camp before playing a test match against Senegal's U-23 team on September 4.

They would take off  for Banjul the next day before facing The Gambia on September 6 on matchday 2 of the Africa Cup of Nations Gabon 2017 qualifiers.