Cameroon’s national football team has been plunged into administrative chaos just weeks before the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, with head coach Marc Brys dramatically dismissed and several key players, including Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, excluded from the squad.
The Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot), under president Samuel Eto’o, issued a comprehensive statement detailing multiple allegations of professional misconduct against Belgian coach Brys. The accusations include inciting players to defy federation authority, evading press conference obligations, failing to attend crucial meetings, and jeopardizing sponsor relationships. The federation further alleged Brys engaged in “active collaboration with unknown individuals within Fecafoot” and consistently refused to disclose his training programs.
Brys, originally appointed by Cameroon’s sports ministry in April 2024 against Eto’o’s objections, has been replaced by his assistant David Pagou. The experienced Cameroonian coach now faces the formidable task of preparing the squad for AFCON in Morocco, beginning December 21st, amid significant institutional conflict.
Pagou’s 28-man selection reveals notable absences beyond Onana, including team captain Vincent Aboubakar, Napoli midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, and defender Michael Ngadeu. While Anguissa’s exclusion is attributed to a hamstring injury, no official explanations have been provided for the other omissions.
This coaching controversy represents the latest chapter in the ongoing power struggle between Fecafoot and Cameroon’s sports ministry. The conflict dates to Eto’o’s election in December 2021, when he immediately oversaw the dismissal of Toni Concecao despite the coach’s successful third-place finish in the 2021 AFCON. The pattern continued with Rigobert Song’s appointment under presidential instructions and subsequent dismissal after Cameroon’s poor showing at the last AFCON.
The current situation echoes previous tensions between Eto’o and Brys, including the Belgian’s temporary dismissal and reinstatement within a two-day period earlier this year following a heated confrontation with the federation president.
For Onana, this exclusion continues a turbulent relationship with the national team. The goalkeeper, currently on loan at Turkish side Trabzonspor from Manchester United, was previously sent home early from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and lost his starting position during the 2023 AFCON after delaying his tournament arrival to play an extra club match.
Cameroon now faces a challenging Group F against defending champions Ivory Coast, Gabon featuring Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Mozambique. Local analysts express concern about the team’s preparation, with Cameroonian football expert Njie Enow noting the practical difficulties of implementing a new playing system weeks before a major tournament.
The sports ministry, which funds the head coach position, has remained silent regarding Brys’ dismissal, leaving unresolved whether it will acquiesce to Fecafoot’s decision as the tournament approaches.