Atouba makes Nations Cup U-turn

Cameroon failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup

Thimothee Atouba has had a change of heart and opted to join Cameroon's squad for African Nations Cup finals in Egypt.

Defender Atouba, 23, had said on Monday he would not be going as he was not guaranteed a first team place.

However, pressure from the Cameroon's national federation persuaded Atouba, who joined German side SV Hamburg last year, to reconsider.

"Atouba has been released to join his colleagues in the national team in accordance with Fifa regulations," said Marco Anfpreikfch, a spokesman for SV Hamburg.

Atouba left his winter training camp in Spain with the Bundesliga outfit on Tuesday to join up with his national squad.

Meanwhile, Cameroon coach Artur Jorge has named four debutants in his 23-man squad for the Nations Cup.

Pierre Boya, Ateba Bilayi, Andre Bikey and goalkeeper Pierre Ebede have been given a chance to play for the Indomitable Lions at a major competition.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Idriss Carlos Kameni (Espanyol, Spain), Pierre Ebede Owono (Panathinaikos, Greece), Souleymanou Hamidou (Denizlispor, Turkey)

Defenders: Benoit Angbwa (Alaves, Spain), Thimothee Atouba (SV Hamburg, Germany), Armand Deumi (FC Thun, Switzerland), Raymond Kalla (Sivasspor, Turkey), Rigobert Song (Galatasaray, Turkey), Jean Hugues Bilayi Ateba (PSG, France), Andre Bikey (Locomotiv Moscow, Russia)

Midfielders: Geremi Njitap (Chelsea, England), Jean II Makoun (Lille, France), Achille Emana (Toulouse, France), Daniel Ngom Kome (Murcia, Spain), Salomon Olembe (Al Rayyan, Qatar), Alioum Saidou (Galatasaray, Turkey), Eric Djemba Djemba (Aston Villa, England)

Forwards: Rudolph Douala (Sporting Lisbon, Portugal), Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona, Spain), Guy Feutchine (PAOK Salonika, Greece), Albert Meyong Ze (Beleneses, Portugal), Pierre Boya (Partizan Belgrade, Serbia), Achille Webo (Osasuna, Spain).