By Martin Etonge BBC Sport Online, Yaounde

Cameroon's minister of youth and sports, Pierre Bidoung Mpkatt, has banned nine players from the national under-20 squad.

The minister took the decision when it was discovered that their ages made them ineligible to play for the country.

Players banned include Firman Mouaka from Canon Yaounde, Hugues Napmi Naponick and Nassourou Moussa (all Cintra Yaounde).

Eric Djedouroum and Oumarou Sanda from Coton Sport Garoua, Franklin Oben Tabi and Franklin Ndi Ako (Sable Batie), as well as Bassalog Bissen from Racing Bafoussam are on the list.

"The decision was taken because the ministry was concerned with the preservation of Cameroon's good image.

"It is also aimed at eradicating such behaviour which is contrary to sports ethics," said an official statement from the ministry.

Mkpatt's sanction comes after several complaints about age cheating.

Allegations of players using the birth certificates of younger siblings to establish false national team documents are rife.

Jean Marc Etougou of Tonnerre Yaounde was dismissed from the Indomitable Lions two years ago, after the dates on his birth certificate and passport were different.

Mkpatt said the coaches of Cameroon's junior teams must scrupulously verify the documents of players wishing to participate in youth competitions, if the country is to avoid Caf and Fifa sanctions.