Cameroon players are launching their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign against Niger in Niamey this Friday.

The Indomitable Lions received a bye to this second round while their opponents owe their place to a 6-0 aggregate thrashing of Somalia in the first round.

This match will see Alexandre Belinga mark his debut at the helm of the Lions after the Cameroonian tactician succeeded German manager Volker Finke, whose contract with the country’s football federation has not been renewed.

As the four-time African champions begin their quest of an eighth World Cup finals appearance, Belinga can count on the vast majority of his foreign-based stars, including veteran keeper Idriss Carlos Kameni who is making his big return to the Lions’ den.

However, Standard Liège defensive midfielder Eyong Enoh has been ruled out of the clash with a thigh injury, while the Matip brothers, Joël and Marvin, and MLS-based Tony Tchani, who has been handed a maiden international call-up, remain doubtful.

Under the technical guidance of former Côte d’Ivoire coach François Zahoui, and led by talisman striker Moussa Maâzou, the ‘Mena’ will be looking to get a positive result on home soil before a tricky trip to the Cameroonian capital.

The match will kick off at Stade Général Seyni Kountché à 17h00 CAT on 13 November, with the return leg scheduled in Yaoundé four days later.