Cameroon Plunged Into Chaos as AFCON Nears Amid Dual Coaches and Squad Lists
Cameroon’s build-up to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has descended into unprecedented turmoil, with the Indomitable Lions entering the final stretch before the tournament caught in a bitter power struggle that has left the nation’s football leadership divided.
With less than two weeks before their AFCON opener against Gabon, Cameroon now finds itself in an extraordinary situation: two head coaches, two official squad lists, and no clear authority. What should have been a decisive preparation phase has instead become a public and institutional standoff.
Eto’o and Brys: A Crisis at the Top
At the heart of the crisis is an escalating feud between Cameroonian FA president Samuel Eto’o and Belgian coach Marc Brys, who was appointed by the Ministry of Sports. Eto’o recently announced Brys’ dismissal, but the coach has rejected the decision, insisting his contract remains valid and that only a presidential decree can remove him.
In response, Eto’o named David Pagou as head coach and released a new 28-man AFCON squad — one that notably excluded high-profile names such as André Onana, Vincent Aboubakar and Eric Choupo-Moting. The omissions immediately raised questions about internal politics and selection motives.
Brys fired back by publishing his own squad list and reaffirming his position as the legitimate head coach, plunging players, officials and supporters into confusion over who will actually lead Cameroon in Morocco.
Public Feud and Deepening Instability
The conflict spilled fully into the public domain when Brys openly criticised Eto’o, accusing him of acting out of personal interest and branding him “narcissistic”. He claimed the relationship had been fractured from their first meeting and alleged that efforts to remove him had been ongoing.
The dispute has further destabilised a national team already reeling from recent sporting disappointments. Cameroon failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, finishing behind Cape Verde in their group before losing to DR Congo in the CAF play-offs — a major blow for a five-time African champion.
Eto’o’s presidency has also been clouded by controversy, including a FIFA ban from national team activities and repeated clashes with technical staff, adding to the sense of institutional fragility now engulfing the Indomitable Lions.
AFCON Clouded by Uncertainty
As AFCON draws closer, Cameroon remains without clarity. Only one coach can sit on the bench when the Lions kick off their campaign on 24 December, yet no definitive ruling has been communicated on who holds final authority — or which squad will be recognised by CAF.
Political and sporting forces continue to pull in opposite directions, leaving one of Africa’s most storied football nations entering the continent’s biggest tournament under a cloud of uncertainty.
For Cameroon, the immediate hope is no longer tactical or technical success — but simply that order is restored in time to allow the Indomitable Lions to compete with focus and unity on the AFCON stage.
