Confusion as Cameroon Names Two Different Squads Amid Managerial Feud Ahead of 2025 AFCON

The Cameroonian Football Federation is facing unprecedented uncertainty just days before the start of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, as a bitter dispute between the national team coach and the federation has resulted in the announcement of two separate squads.

The conflict centers on Belgian coach Marc Brys, who remains under contract with the Ministry of Sport until September 2026 but has been informed by Cameroon FA President Samuel Eto’o that his tenure as national team manager is effectively over. Brys has refused to accept his dismissal, arguing that without an official presidential decree, he remains the recognized head coach in the eyes of the Cameroonian state.

Amid the ongoing dispute, the federation released a 28-man squad on December 1 under the leadership of David Pagou, who was appointed as interim coach by Eto’o. Pagou’s team has been formally listed on FIFA’s website, and he recently held a press conference to outline Cameroon’s plans for the tournament. This squad, however, featured several surprising omissions, including former Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana, ex-Bayern Munich forward Eric Choupo-Moting, and veteran striker Vincent Aboubakar. Sources indicate that Eto’o intentionally excluded Aboubakar to prevent him from surpassing his own all-time goal-scoring record for Cameroon; the 33-year-old striker is currently 12 goals short of overtaking Eto’o.

In response, Brys issued an alternative squad that reinstated Onana, Choupo-Moting, and Aboubakar. In interviews with Flemish and French media, Brys criticized Eto’o’s handling of the squad selection, calling it illogical to enter a major tournament without world-class players and labeling Eto’o’s approach as self-serving. He emphasized that, according to Cameroonian protocol, his position remains valid until formally replaced by presidential order.