Cameroon have sacked head coach Marc Brys just days before AFCON 2025, ending months of tension and confusion between the Ministry of Sports (MINSEP) and the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) over who held authority over the team.
The Belgian’s dismissal follows a series of disputes from disagreements over squad selection to training-camp planning with both bodies repeatedly issuing conflicting directives and failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
His relationship with the federation deteriorated further after several public clashes, prompting FECAFOOT and MINSEP to finally act jointly, a rare show of unity at a critical moment.
The were problems within the squad ran even deeper. Several players reportedly fell out with Brys, with some refusing to honour call-ups due to personal or professional disagreements.
This contributed to a fractured dressing room, diminishing morale and a loss of cohesion during key competitive matches. Olivier Ntcham, Christian Kofane and, more recently, Danny Namaso who failed to report for World Cup playoff duty, were among those linked to the internal friction.
The shake-up also comes as FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto’o begins a new term, with the federation moving quickly to reset the technical structure ahead of the tournament.
Brys has been replaced by David Pagou, who will now lead the Indomitable Lions in Morocco.
David Pagou. Photo Credit: X
Onana left out as Pagou names 28-man squad
The federation simultaneously released its 28-man provisional list, with Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana and veteran striker Vincent Aboubakar omitted.
Four goalkeepers were selected, Devis Epassy, Simon Omossola and two others.
Defenders include Christopher Wooh, Nouhou Tolo, and Jean-Charles Castelletto.
In midfield, Carlos Baleba and Dina Ebimbe feature prominently.
Up front, Bryan Mbeumo, Georges-Kévin Nkoudou, Christian Kofane, and Etta Eyong are all named.
Cameroon squad for AFCON 2025. Photo Credit: X
Cameroon will compete in Group F against Gabon, Ivory Coast, and Mozambique, opening their campaign on 24 December against Mozambique.
Onana had recently called for unity inside the camp
Before being dropped, Onana publicly urged players to avoid being drawn into the leadership crisis that surrounded the team.
“We players have a boss who is the coach, the coach has a boss who is the federation, and the federation has a boss who is MINSEP,” he said, stressing discipline and respect for hierarchy.
“For example, during the CAN, the coach benched me, didn’t I? Did I complain? I respected the coach’s decision, right or wrong.”
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He added: “Now, if we’re told Yaoundé, I don’t want to know, I follow my hierarchical boss who is the coach. If you don’t get along with X or Y, that’s your problem. We’re here to play. As players, we avoid taking sides.”
Andre Onana in action for Manchester United. Photo Credit: Getty Images
After two difficult seasons at Manchester United, the Cameroonian goalkeeper has rediscovered his form on the shores of the Black Sea.
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In ten Süper Lig appearances, he has conceded just eleven goals but more telling are his thirty-four saves from forty-five shots on target, giving him a remarkable save rate of over 74%. In a league known for its attacking intensity, his consistency stands out. Notably, he has yet to make a direct error leading to a goal for Trabzonspor.
